A pastoral prayer, on the eve of the inauguration

Sunday, January 19, 2025

I’m preaching tonight at Safe Harbor Church in Clinton, MS - a church with a large LGBT contingent in their congregation.

Tomorrow is the inauguration, and many of us, not just those in that community, are nervous.

God of love, God of hope
God of our understanding and longing
On the eve of the inauguration,
We are gathered tonight in this place to seek your will
And to learn how to try to do it.
We recognize that our desire to follow your will does not mean we always do
But we trust that our desire to please you does, in fact, please you.

It is a rough time right now, and many of us are fearful.
We do not always know where we are going, or what the future holds.
Our future is uncertain, shadowy, unknowable.
But we trust you, and seek the comfort of your presence.
We know you will not leave us, or forsake us,
And in the presence of our enemies, you prepare a feast.

Protect us, oh Lord. Watch over us
As we labor, and as we rest.
Give us strength to resist, hope to sustain others,
And make of us a testimony to your glory.

Amen