O merciful heavenly Father, from You comes all rule and authority over the nations of the world for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of all who do well. Graciously regard Your servants, those who make, administer, and judge the laws of this nation, and look in mercy upon all the rulers of the earth. We thank You for President George Bush, his staff and cabinet, the Congress, and the Supreme Court who have faithfully held office and have publically served our country. We ask You to bless President Barack Obama, his staff and cabinet, the new Congress, and the Supreme Court as they take office and publically serve our country. Grant health and prosperity to them, and grant them wisdom and understanding to rule according to Your good pleasure for the maintenance of righteousness and the hindrance and punishment of wickedness, so that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness, honesty, and prosperity; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Given the choices President-elect Obama has selected for the prayers for his inaugeration, I felt it important to offer up a proper Christian prayer for him and our government. While Rick Warren tacks Evangelical right, he is so engrossed with preaching the law as gospel that even if he mentions the name of Jesus, I wonder what the actual text of his prayer will be and whether it will truly lift up our leaders to God for wisdom and good governance. Bishop Gene Robinson tacks Episcopal left, and he has publically stated that he will not offer up a Christian prayer for Mr. Obama, but will instead say some sort of generic, non-offending prayer. Here's the video of the bishop's prayer; the text is further down in the article.
1 comment:
,,O God of our many understandings ..." At the very beginning he says it all. This is not a prayer to God, but to idols. God help us and the state of Christianity in this country. And the ironic thing is, Obama's team decided this ,,prayer" was pre-show to the events on Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial, and as such some stations covering the event did not show it.
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