"I wrote the prayer down, and as a matter of fact I passed it out to all our campaign workers and I asked them to begin praying this prayer. And, I will tell you, it was an absolute miracle that we ended up winning that race in 1984... I thought, "you know that was... I believe that prayer was one of the keys to us winning." " -- Daniel Webster
If Republican Daniel Webster prevails against Democratic Representative Alan Grayson in the 2010 race for Florida's 8th Congressional District, will Webster again credit, as in the past, a "hedge of thorns" for his political victory?
"It absolutely changed my life," declared Webster, referring to the teachings of evangelist Bill Gothard, in a 2003-published speech Daniel Webster gave before an audience of Gothard's followers. Webster then attributed his political success to a magical prayer called "The Hedge of Thorns of Protection", which Gothard claims can force unfaithful spouses back to their mates, redeeming them from the influence of Satan. Webster also stated that the Bible calls on wives to submit to their husbands but emphasized he did not usually demand or pray for that.
What the 2003-published footage makes especially clear is the depth and sincerity of Daniel Webster's commitment to Bill Gothard and his teachings. It's not an act. In the speech Webster says he adapted Gothard's "Hedge of Thorns" prayer for use in his political campaigns, causing God to influence the decisions of Florida voters and warding off possible election rivals in his former Florida state congressional district. Daniel Webster also credits the prayer with helping his rise to speaker of the Florida State Legislature in 1996.
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2010/10/25/154514/65/Front_Page/Grayson_Foe_Daniel_Webster_Credits_Success_To_quot_Hedge_of_Thorns_quot_Prayer_