Over the years, retailers have managed to convince consumers that the third Monday in February is “Presidents’ Day.” But officially it’s still the day we commemorate George Washington’s birthday.
 
It’s unfortunate that we’ve taken the focus off our first president because Washington’s steadfast leadership was so very crucial to America’s formative years. As The American Patriot’s Almanac points out, the Indispensible Man’s influence was critical in at least three major ways ~

• He Led American forces during the fight for independence
• He presided over the writing of our Constitution
• He served as our first president (setting the tone and modeling virtuous character for his successors)

George Washington firmly believed in the power of prayer. In his June 8, 1783 Circular Address to the States he asked the Lord to bless America with national unity and character (two things we desperately need today!) ~

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that You will keep the United States in Your holy protection, and that You will incline the hearts of the citizens to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another. We pray that You will most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.

 
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Updated: 2-21-17
Added: The Mystery of George Washington: Land-Grabber, Warmonger, then Statesman ~ John Zmirak at The Stream believes it was Washington’s flawed human nature that ultimately helped transform him into the virtuous man and the faithful, much-admired leader that we honor today.