Bishop Ward encourages us to be in a vigil of prayer today and tomorrow for the incoming leaders and for the future of our nation.
View Bishop Ward’s Prayer below the transcription.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow is inauguration day in the United States. In this country that we love, we offer our prayers for a safe and orderly transition of power. We pray for Joe Biden who will take the oath of office as President of our country and we pray for Kamala Harris who will take the oath of office as Vice President. We pray that the abundance of grace and strength and truth and love will be poured out upon them and those who counsel them in the days ahead.
We pray for all who have been injured or traumatized in violence as we approach this important day of transition tomorrow. We pray for healing for all who’ve been hurt and we pray for the families of those who’ve lost their lives.
We pray for the Congress of the United States, for the House of Representatives and the Senate, and for all who’ve been elected to serve in this area of public well-being.
We pray for a new sense of community in our nation and we pray that we will be used by God to be bearers of the peace of Christ. We pray that we will have wisdom to bring people together, to listen wisely, and to create a peaceable community wherever we find ourselves.
Thank you for your prayers and partnership as we enter into a vigil of prayer today and tomorrow for all that lies ahead. I offer a prayer attached to this video for your use and for your distribution in your congregation as you find it helpful.
May Christ be with us all in this time and always.
Prayer
Eternal God, the source of our hope in all things, we pray together for our country that we love.
We pray for a safe and orderly transition of power as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are inaugurated as President and Vice-President of the United States.
We pray for all who were traumatized, harmed and hurt in violence of the January 6 insurrection. We pray for the families of those who died. We pray for change of heart in those whose words and actions caused chaos, damage, wounding and death. Intervene, we pray, in the lives of those who persist in threat and violence.
We pray for public servants working for the safety of all. We pray for members of Congress, for those continuing, for those newly elected and for those departing. May our constant prayers sustain those elected to lead. Give them strength for the work ahead as they work to unite and lead our country in this time of great need. We pray earnestly for a spirit of cooperation for the greater good of all.
We continue to pray for healing through Jesus Christ, our Great Physician. As the pandemic continues, we pray for the bereaved, for the ill, for the aged and the young, for the fearful and the courageous, for workers who serve us seen and unseen. We pray for the medical and public health community as vaccinations are offered equitably with urgency. We pray for wisdom in gathering and in guarding the health of all our neighbors.
Through the Holy Spirit, grant to us the mind of Christ as we listen, learn, and lead day by day in this time of great need and of great opportunity. Amen.