Prayers for Innaguration Day

Opening Psalm Prayer: Though the world shakes us and life overwhelms us, You are our help, our strength. You still our hearts and turn us and the whole earth toward peace. You are our refuge, 0 God. Amen. (Psalm 46, Upper Room Worshipbook)

Prayers for the Nation: Look graciously, O Lord, upon this land. Where it is in pride, subdue it. Where it is in need, supply it. Where it is in error, rectify it. Where it is in default, restore it. And where it holds to that which is just and compassionate, support it. Amen. (UM Book of Worship 515, Church of Pakistan)

God of all the ages, in Your sight nations rise and fall, and pass-through times of peril. Now when our land is troubled, be near to judge and save. May leaders be led by Your wisdom; may they search Your will and see it clearly. If we have turned from Your way, reverse our ways, and help us to repent. Give us Your light and Your truth, let them guide us; through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen. (UM BOW 517, Presbyterian Church USA Worshipbook)

Prayers of Intercession:

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayers:

For President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, and their family;

For Vice President Kamala Harris, Douglas Emhoff, and their family;

For Former President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and their family;

For Former Vice-President Mike Pence, Karen Pence, and their family;

For members of the United States Senate and their staffs;

For members of the United States House of Representatives and their staffs;

For state and local government leaders;

For law enforcement officers and our military;

For reconciliation, peace, and unity;

For the healing of our nation;

(Others as the Holy Spirit brings to mind. )

Amen.

Gospel Reading: John 15:9-14... As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you."

Prayer of Confession: Almighty and merciful God, we know that when we offend another, we offend You. We are aware that we have often allowed the shadow of hate to cloud our souls, hiding the light from our unseeing eyes. We have said unpleasant and hurtful things to our brothers and sisters when they failed to live up to our expectations. Grant that we might find that spark of love that ever bums within us, the love that You have shown to us even when we failed You. Fan the embers of that love until it roars again in flames of love, peace, and reconciliation. Forgive us our sins and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. Lead us into new life through Your Son Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of all. Amen. (UM BOW 481, Michael J. O'Donnell).

For God's Reign: We believe in You, O God, for You have made the suffering of humanity Your suffering. You have come to establish a kingdom of the poor and humble. Today we sing to You, because You are alive, You have saved us, You have made us free. Amen. (UM BOW 511, Cuba).

Closing Prayer for Unity: Holy Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You have called us to be united together as Your Body as a witness to a divided world. Remind us that Your ways are not our ways. Let those who follow Your Son Jesus Christ be a peaceable people in the midst of conflict and division. Send Your Spirit of peace, justice, and freedom upon us, break down the walls of political partisanship, and make us one; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord tum His face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)