Where was I when Rick Warren gave the historic inaugural invocation today? Frustrated…in my car…racing to get home. Never before have I been so interested in watching this every-four-year event. Tied up until 11:50 a.m., I tuned my car's radio dial to NPR just in time to hear Joe Biden take the Vice Presidential oath.
At this moment, I'm particularly happy for the internet; I was able to find in just a few keystrokes both a video of the invocation and a transcript of Warren's prayer. In case you're looking for one or both, enjoy–
Let us pray.
Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t
see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs
to you. It all exists for your glory.
History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the
Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and
merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.
Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of
power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the
inauguration of our first African American president of the United
States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled
possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the
highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a
great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.
Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with
humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead
us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President
Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by
race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and
justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other,
when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and
our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our
fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they
deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we
have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions,
humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we
differ.
Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May
all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a
more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And
may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand
accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife,
Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.
I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life,
Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to
pray:
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory
forever. Amen."
HT to Ted Olsen @ Christianity Today for the prayer transcript.
I heard his prayer and thought it was great.
I thought his prayer was wonderful and I hope it touched many hearts.
I watched this morning as he said this prayer. I appreciate your writing it out in full though.
Thanks for posting this. I’ve missed all the action since I am at work and we’re not even allowed to stream video.
Jessie AKA crazy dream girl
God bless the Internet for archiving everything of significance – and even everything of INsignificance! – for later consumption. I was blessed to be home for much of today’s events, but I’m so glad to have everything at my fingertips for more reflective review later on.
I can’t help but feel that the world changed a bit today, and that the tiny dot of hopeful light way down at the end of the theoretical tunnel grew a little larger and brighter in the process.
I thought the prayer was great too!
when two are gathered in His name.
Millions were gathered today.
His prayer was great. I missed it too, so I’m glad you posted it. Thank you!
To me, Lowry’s benediction was much more authentic and effective than Warren’s invocation. Did I miss it being posted on this site, or did you just prefer Warren’s?
I’m including the missing link so your readers can see both.