Prayers for a new president

George Washington, hand on the bible, taking the oath of office: image from PictureHistory

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published prayers appropriate for the coming week of the inauguration of the President of the United States.

Here are prayers that might be used for the General Intercessions (Prayer of the Faithful) at Mass:

Intercessions for Inaugural Week

-For the nations of the world,
to engage in a cooperative spirit toward lasting peace and justice for all,
we pray to the Lord...

-For our nation,
to continue to promote liberty and freedom, justice and peace for all,
we pray to the Lord...

-For the people of the United States,
to engage in a spirit of cooperation, tranquility,
and respect for one another and for all human life
as good stewards of the gifts God has given us,
we pray to the Lord...

-For our new president,
to have before him at all times
the charge to protect and defend the rights of all citizens,
especially the weakest and most vulnerable among us,
we pray to the Lord...

-For all civic authorities,
entrusted with care for the common good,
to act with loving care in all they do,
we pray to the Lord...

-For the Church and its leaders,
to serve as beacons of the light of Christ
in a world in the shadows of fear, violence, poverty, and death,
we pray to the Lord...

Prayer for an Inauguration

This prayer is an adaptation of the prayer for the Church and for civil authorities which was composed by Archbishop John Carroll for use on the occasion of the inauguration of George Washington in 1789. This prayer, or particular sections of it, especially section B, could be used at gatherings for prayer outside Mass. Within Mass, it could be used at the conclusion of the General Intercessions.

Almighty and eternal God,
you have revealed your glory to all nations.

God of power and might, wisdom and justice,
through you authority is rightly administered,
laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.

-We pray for the president:

Assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitude
the President of these United States,
that his administration may be conducted in righteousness,
and be eminently useful to your people over whom he presides.
May he encourage due respect for virtue and religion.
May he execute the laws with justice and mercy.
May he seek to restrain crime, vice, and immorality.

-We pray for the members of Congress:
Let the light of your divine wisdom
direct the deliberations of Congress,
and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws
framed for our rule and government.
May they seek to preserve peace, promote national happiness,
and continue to bring us the blessings of liberty and equality.

-We pray for state and local officials:
We pray for , the governor of this state (commonwealth, dominion),
for the members of the legislature,
for judges, elected civil officials,
and all others who are entrusted to guard our political welfare.
May they be enabled, by your powerful protection,
to discharge their duties with honesty and ability.

-We likewise commend to your unbounded mercy,
all citizens of the United States,
that we be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your holy law.
May we be preserved in union and that peace which the world cannot give;
and, after enjoying the blessings of this life,
be admitted to those which are eternal.

We pray to you, who are Lord and God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Link Inaugural Prayer