Next Monday, January 20, 2025 is, as we know, Inauguration Day in the United States. This is the day Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as President and James D. Vance as Vice-President. We hold both of them in special prayer. It is also a day for all Americans to take a few minutes to pray for all our elected and appointed officials who will serve as leaders for our country.
To mark this important day, I have written a short prayer. In doing this, I looked for inspiration from a number of inauguration day prayers including Reverend Samuel Provoost’s prayer given at the inauguration of our first President George Washington in 1789 and the prayer given by Father Leo J. O’Donovan, SJ, at the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2021.
Let me preface my prayer with three observations. First, we pray for government leaders regularly, not merely on inauguration day. And we pray for leadership on all levels of government: national, state, and local. Our government leadership is vital in influencing the direction our country will be taking. But good leadership is challenging. It can be exhausting and discouraging at times. It also comes with the ever-present temptation to use a position of leadership to amass power, riches, and fame. In short, all our leaders need our prayerful support.
Second, we Americans come to this inauguration day in many different ways. Some of us will be overjoyed on inauguration day–especially if the candidates we supported won. Others may be deeply saddened by the outcome of some of the elections. Still others may be fearful of what these changes in leadership will mean for our future. And, finally, some Americans couldn’t care less who has been elected or appointed, for they have given up all hope that political leadership can make a difference in our lives or in the future of this country. So, even on this day we must acknowledge our differences. At the same time, we can be united in our prayer.
A third observation is this: No matter where we may be on the political spectrum, none of us can sit back and expect our leadership to do all the work of shaping our country’s future. A democracy demands informed and active citizens. As good citizens, we must be aware of what is happening in our country, speak out when we perceive something is not right, and take action when we see individuals or segments of our population being denied their basic rights. In other words, praying for leadership, as important as it is, is not enough. We must find ways–both large and small–to invest ourselves in the future of our nation.
That being said, here is a prayer for today and beyond:
Prayer for Inauguration Day and Beyond
Good and gracious God, we ask for your blessings today on our country, the United States of America. It is a country beautiful and blessed, yet in continuous need of healing. Today we renew our desire to form “a more perfect union,” a union of all of us “to promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of prosperity” not only for ourselves, but for future generations. We also renew our desire to have our country play an active role with other nations in the promotion of global justice and in the unending quest for world peace.
We recognize that our country consists of people of many races, creeds, backgrounds, and cultures. We know from history that these differences can enrich us in countless ways. At the same time, we know these differences can lead to misunderstandings, suspicions, divisions, and even hatred and violence. We ask for your strength to continue to dismantle the barriers that divide us. We also confess our past failures to live according to our vision of equality and “liberty and justice for all.” Help us to respect and care for one another not only in our words, but also in our deeds. May we be especially mindful of those in our midst who do not share in the so-called “American dream.”
We pray also for all our elected and appointed officials. Please give them wisdom, strength, courage, integrity, and compassion. Help them to work tirelessly together for the common good of all. May they see their position of leadership not as a way to dominate or control, but as a way to serve all of us who call this country “home.”
And lastly, Beloved God, we ask that you bestow upon all of us hope for the future… a hope firmly rooted in our belief that you are with us always. Amen.
For reflection:
Did anything stand out for you in today’s today’s reflection?
What are you asking of God for our country at this time in our history? What are you asking of yourself as a citizen of this country?
What are some of the ways we can make an investment–both large and small–in the future of our country?
****************************************************************
A word about Jimmy Carter…
Last week we buried our 39th President of the United States, James Earl Carter. He was 100 years old. Though he served as President decades ago (1977-1981) he left a lasting legacy that transcends his presidential term. I hope you were able to see/read some of the tributes given to him–especially those given at his funeral last week in the National Cathedral. I was struck by Carter’s ability to befriend such a wide variety of people–world leaders, Black religious leaders, men and women, cabinet members, country singers, his neighbors in Plains, GA, and even those who opposed him politically–like Gerald Ford whom he defeated in the 1976 election. Carter and Ford, despite their very real differences, became good friends–so much so that they asked each other to give the eulogy at their funeral. Carter delivered Ford’s eulogy in 2006. Gerald Ford’s son read the eulogy his father had written for Carter.
The timing of Carter’s death couldn’t have been more sgnificant. When I saw all those former presidents, our current one, and our future one sitting side by side in the first two rows, I kept praying for all of them to be deeply touched by the way Carter served this country and the world. Though the years he served were different from today, Carter served with “timeless” qualities of faith, humanity, goodness, compassion, simplicity, hard-work, and a ready smile. May Jimmy Carter rest in peace…
*****************************************************************
I chose one of my favorite hymns for today: “This Is My Song” based on the great piece “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius, the famous Finnish composer. What I personally love about this song is that it expresses the love that many of us have for our beloved country. At the same time it reminds us that others have great love for their countries as well. And we must work together with them for that day when our hearts “will be united and we will learn to live as one.”
Please share a thought or two below:
24 Responses
I am in tears over this beautiful hymn and the prayer. Don’t know what else to say… Thank you for touching my heart so deeply.
For all we pray for and all we pray about
Hear these words O Lord, Amen
Sr. Melanie, I appreciate your discretion and your willingness to put the best interpretation on the upcoming Presidential Inauguration. But I seriously struggle to do this. I am actually appalled that the majority of our fellow Americans have made the choice they have. When I compare the life of ex-president Jimmy Carter to our President elect, I am in disbelief. Only God can intervene and save us from this disgrace.
Fr. John, Your words probably resonate with a whole segment of our “fellow Americans.” I would like to say two things. First, I hope my “positive slant” is not viewed as mere “pollyannaism” or naivety. The positive slant is rooted in faith–the faith expressed by the last sentence of the prayer: “God is with us always.” Second, You say you are “appalled” which can suggest disillusionment. Disillusionment, as uncomfortable as it is, can be a step to deeper faith. It forces us to acknowledge that something is not as good as we thought it was. That can lead to prayer: “What next, Lord?” Or to what change or action are you calling me, Loving God?”… Thank you for your comment, John. Melannie
Fr. John I find it very ironic to pray for a man who is elected president that has tried to overthrow the very democratic system that he promised to protect and defend. I don’t like the outcome to this election but I will pray for our new president because I believe that God can bring good out of this even if I cannot see how.
Thank you Sr Melannie for the beautiful prayer and for the beautiful song. I too was struck by the line from the song that you quoted. Our world needs all of us working together and following the way of love that President Carter lived.
May God bless us all!
Don’t know if this will help you, but I read that the majority of the votes went to “someone other than Trump”— that was the wording that was used. He did not win the majority of the popular vote. I believe it was the American history scholar Heather Cox Richardson who wrote that.
“Only God can intervene”–is that all you can say? As Sr. Melannie replies to you, I agree that American citizens must both pray and actively oppose the president-elect and his right-wing, sycophantic administration. How to oppose, other than with prayer? By using the nonviolent approach of Gandhi, citizens can write to and visit their elected representatives, offering not just criticism and opposition to Project 2025 and 47’s constant expressions of grandiosity and heartlessness but also by urging more compassionate, humane and just alternative ideas and programs, many of which exist in our country and abroad. Concerned citizens can also urge opposition from other political figures both personally and with the help of more reasonable organizations, such as environmental and public defense groups. The scholarly professor of political science William E. Connolly calls this active opposition “agonistic democracy.” The Greek word *agon* means struggle or contest. St. Paul wrote of having “fought the good fight,” and Prof. Connolly proposes that people, especially those elected to work for their constituents, not settle too quickly for a compromise or consensus, but instead argue strenuously (“fight” is the term commonly used in public discourse) for better solutions. As Richard Rohr writes, the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the good. But if that isn’t feasible, stating the better way lets people know what to vote for eventually, even if it fails at present.
I so agree with you!! My heart is aching to know that we must endure another four years of his cruelty, lies, and division.
Good morning, Sr. Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Thank you for that soulful prayer and may it live in the hearts of all our elected officials, as it did in the heart of President Jimmy Carter. There’s a cartoon going around on Facebook that shows God, his arm around Jimmy, saying, “Welcome to home, fellow carpenter.” Just beautiful — like “sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine.” Have a great day!
Thank you Sister Melannie for your thoughtful response to one of the comments above. Your prayer for whomever is being inaugurated could not be more appropriate.
Dear Sister Melanie, the Inauguration Day prayer is what we need at this time in our country. We will never all agree on how our country should be managed and who should lead it, but we all need to be involved in that process. It is THE basic right our country was formed on. Will we be happy with every outcome? Absolutely not. But we must sustain, promote, and embrace that right. There are too many people and places in the world that do not have that right.
That being said, our leaders need our prayers. Those prayers can be for their strength, insight to determine the best course of action, and/or to turn their hearts to dedicate themselves to fair, honest, and equitable governance. Whatever is needed, we need to be active partners in the work.
Thank you too for the beautiful song. We need to be reminded that while we love our country, others feel the same about theirs, as they should.
Blessings for a beautiful day!
Donna
Sr. Melannie,
Just want to Thank You for all the messages and actions you wove into this reflection and prayer from George Washington, prayer at Biden’s Inauguration, and Jimmy Carter’s farewell. Providential!
Appreciate the closing song’s world perspective.
SMF
Thanks Sr Melanie for always looking at life with the eyes of faith, no matter how difficult the view may seem.
A beautiful, prayerful reflection from you about seeing all the former Presidents and the current President at former President Carter’s funeral.
We keep each other in prayer around the world.
Andre (Perth , West Australia)
Thank you Fr John…your comment is so refreshing and states my opinion also..almost word for word…the citizens in our country need to do 2 Chronicles 7:14″..pray..confess our sins and He will heal our land”…otherwise were done..
Peace
Good morning, Sr. Melanie. You so beautifully produce the words and wisdom I search for. In my prayers, which are short and feel inadequate, I ask the Lord for humble, moral, and ethical leaders, and where they may fall short, I ask that statesmen arise. I’m often thinking of John F. Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage. I feel the anguish suffered by so many at this time, but like you, I believe prayers and faith can bring change in whatever form it can be found. Thank you to all who responded in the thoughtful way you have. If we are prayer warriors, we can accomplish so much. That is the start of our working to ensure that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is for all.
Great reminder to pray this week in advance of the Inauguration and ask God to bless the new administration and guide them in their decisions and policies. It is a practical and positive way to impact the transition from Biden to Trump. Thank you!
Perhaps our prayers can help ears to hear and eyes to see just as Christ did during his ministry. Thank you Sister
Sr. Melanie,
I appreciate your beautiful prayer and reflection on Jimmy Carter and the forum where I can respectfully disagree with Fr. Fuchs. I am grateful to be in the majority of Americans who voted for and give thanks for President Trump’s return to office. My vote came from prayerful reflection on the disdainful leadership of the present administration, where my children, grandchildren, and fellow parishioners couldn’t afford food or rent and were subject to the ravages of immigrant criminals. While none approve of all that Trump says and does, we join Melanie’s heartfelt prayer that our nation will move forward together and, as the hymn says. “that hearts united learn to live as one” nation under God.
Please allow a scriptural comment on the need to *complement* prayer with action. Just read the Letter of James, Chapter 2, verses 14-26. The note to this passage in the Jerusalem Bible comments, on the apparent conflict between Paul and James, “Paul does not deny that the saint who has been made holy by grace must show his faith by actually loving.” The prayer is good, but one who also acts for truth or justice adds a dimension of God’s grace. As with St. Augustine’s phrase, “The one who sings [a hymn] prays twice.”
I believe the important thing to remember at this time and always, that we need to be grateful for the blessing of freedom in this country. It is a profound blessing that many in the world do not have. Regardless of our own political beliefs and choices at least we are free to choose. Thank you for the prayer and the music. God is good and created all and proclaimed after the sixth day “it is good”.
Sister Melannie,
Each time I think you can’t come up with anything better than this, you never cease to surprise and amaze me. Your messages speak to my heart.
Thank you.
And God bless you.
Priscilla Gray Plott
Agree wholeheartedly with Father Fuchs.
I can only hope that our new President will help the people in California and leave politics and the blame game out of it. They sooo need our prayers & help.
We just need to concentrate on our Dear Lord. He will get us through it.
Think you Sister for your beautiful words.
Thank you for your weekly blog Sr Melannie. I am thankful that President Trump survived the Assassination attempts and was reelected to his second term. As a practicing catholic I am relieved that he will return to office to protect our religious freedoms, continue to support the Pro-Life Movement and bring back the rule of law to our country and institutions.
I hope and pray our fellow Americans can focus on unity and not resistance. As I watched our former presidents and leaders sitting at the funeral I thought they were all flawed in some way. However, we supported them no matter their party affiliation for the good of our country. The last 8 years that changed and individuals decided that they know best and divided the country. I appreciate your prayer that will encourage us all not to make that mistake again.
The song is just perfect. Thank you Sr. Melanie for your prayer and sharing the beautiful song. As for the changes that may happen –perhaps we should try to start closer to home, with prayer, working to help those nearby, and for sure those impacted by floods and fires. Our hearts are breaking for all those in Califorinia, and elsewhere in our country. Mother Teresa reminds us we can do small things with great love. Let us remember it is “We the People….”, but we cannot do anything without God’s love and guidance. Emmanuel –God with Us.