that his service may profit his country and the church.”14 On April 23, 1561, Calvin wrote a warm, consoling letter to Knox, which concluded with a benedictory prayer: “May the Lord always stand by you, govern, protect, and sustain you by his power.”15 Humble Christian that Knox was, he knew his great need of divine enabling, so he both prayed and sought the prayer support of others, something men in the flesh rarely do. Americans, schooled in Emersonian self-reliance, find asking for prayer an awkward,