George Washington's General Orders for Divine Service as Standard Practice

George Washington, as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, actively integrated religious observance—specifically "divine service"—into standard military routine from the earliest days of his command in 1775. Upon taking charge of the forces encamped around Boston on July 3, 1775, he issued General Orders the very next day (July 4) emphasizing moral discipline and spiritual discipline. In these orders, he required "a punctual attendance on divine service" for all officers and soldiers not on actual duty, framing it as a means "to implore the blessings of heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense."

Washington's emphasis on divine service stemmed from his conviction that the Revolution depended on "the aid of the Supreme Being" and "the favor of Divine Providence." He advocated for chaplains in every regiment (approved by Congress in 1776) to "animate the soldiery," impress upon them the rights they defended, and promote spiritual resilience alongside military discipline.

Abiel Leonard, a Connecticut chaplain, was one of General Washington’s closest military friends. Leonard composed a prayer for Washington’s Army published in Cambridge in 1775, an excerpt from which is shown below: