A Prayer for Inauguration Day

God of all love and justice, we pray for our nation on this day of change and hope.

We pray that:

            Righteousness is our every action.

            Justice is our rallying cry.

            Our nation heals in the fullness of time.

            Accountability is not divorced from compassion.

            Enmity is diminished and civility restored.

            Our grief for a million people worldwide

                        is mobilized into care for hearts broken and lives shattered.

            We remain grounded in what we value,

                        undeterred from doing the right thing just because it is hard.

Give us courage to speak in moments when it is easier to remain silent. Grant us the passion to care for our democracy in ways that lead to action. Teach us to be good citizens and ancestors. May we deal with our “isms” and brokenness with clear eyes and steely determination to see all people as equal.

May we be partners with you in restoration and healing. Amen.

Be sure to check out the new hymn post: For the Healing of the Nations