Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Beautiful Prayer

I was so impressed with Rick Warren's beautiful prayer he gave for President Obama's inauguration. Did you catch it? It was very clear that the words were spoken from his heart to his God. I had heard that there was a bit of controversy about whether he was going to pray "in Jesus' name" or not. Boy did he! Four different translations of the name of Jesus as a matter of fact! You go Pastor Warren! For people of faith - this was very moving.

Here is the transcipt of the prayer:

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 hinge point 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 goodwill 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 (this one was pronouced in the Spanish language), Jesus, who taught us to pray: (Italics mine)

“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."

10 comments:

Barb said...

I was very moved too, Robin. The whole service was beautiful.

Had to tell you, when you posted the photo of your Nativity felt kits, I couldn't stand it, it's so sweet. So I went to eBay and found that kit and it arrived today. I can't wait to start it. I'd never seen it before, so thank you for leading me to it.

Mrs. Julie Fink said...

I was so encouraged by his prayer!!! Especially the reminder that we are all answering to a mighty God when it is all said and done.

Yolanda said...

I enjoyed this prayer. Where in the Northwest do you live. I live in OR>

Dawn said...

Beautiful prayer. I didn't watch it, but would love to have seen and heard that. I would love to believe that O would take it to heart.

Unknown said...

I can tell you that there is no way in the world that Rick would ever NOT pray in Jesus' name. He does not compromise anything. And you are so right, he did an amazing job in Jesus' name.

Thanks for the text Robin. It was good to read again.

Willow said...

I was watching in the classroom and thought the prayer was deeply moving. Thanks for posting it so I can read it.

SMHart said...

Rick warren is an interesting guy - giving 80 plus percent of his income away, when he could be living an entirely different life - well, that takes some seriuos committment, so it doesnt surprise me that his prayer reflected that, and I think Obama knew he wouldn't compromise, probably because he respects him.

In answer to your question about how much Isobela weighs - last week she was 14lbs, 1 oz. She is getting quite heavy, but then again she was never light - she is very dense, if that makes sense - she appears small, but is heavy. Anyway, have a great week!

Anonymous said...

This reader from Idaho was also impressed that Rev. Rick Warren prayed in the name of Jesus. PTL!

I, like Yolanda, wonder where you live in the nw. I live in the Idaho panhandle about 1 1/2 hours from Coeur d' Alene.

Robin said...

Yolanda and Anonymous: I live in the southwest part of Idaho - very near the Oregon border. Very much a desert area - but beautiful all the same.

Robin ~ Linton Cottage said...

Hello from another Robin and another minister's wife. Found you blog through the Butler's Wife; I just found her tonight from Barb!!

My husband and I were also glad to see Rick Warren being able to speak and pray at the inauguration.
He did a great job and it was moving for us, too.

I look forward to reading through your blog and getting to know you. Hope you can visit me, too.

Blessings,
Robin