There has been a lot that has already been said about the inauguration of the president yesterday. And there is a lot more that will be said. I don’t really have anything to add, but there were some moments that held meaning. There is a lot of symbolism to watch the inauguration of any president, but watching the capitol mall fill for the second inauguration of an African-American president 50 years after the famous march on Washington, in which Dr. King delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech was powerful.

There we were, the President and Vice-President, the Supreme Court and the members of the Senate and House. Republicans and Democrats gathered together. There were plenty of spectators gathered in that place that is so rich in history and meaning. And there were a lot more watching on television. I was listening on the radio. As I pulled into my driveway after taking items to be recycled, I stopped and listened as the nation paused to pray together. I joined in the prayer.

Myrlie Evers-Williams became the first laywoman to give an inaugural invocation. Evers-Williams is the widow of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, who was killed by a white supremacist 50 years ago. I have worked much of my career to promote the leadership of lay persons and to encourage lay leaders to lead prayers, so it was a small moment of personal satisfaction for me to know that the entire nation was seeing a direct example of a layperson leading prayers. I can remember those tumultuous years of the early 1960’s as the struggle for civil rights was so visible before the entire nation. Now, 50 years later we were all invited to pray together.

I am aware that there has already been a lot of criticism of the choice of Evers-Williams and of the prayer she offered. I read Politico and Huffington Post blogs. But I am not one to quickly attack a prayer or the person offering it. I know that God hears and answers prayers even when the one offering it is not worthy. I know that God hears and answers prayers even when the choice of words is not perfect. I know these things from direct experience. I offer prayers every day. Some of the most powerful moments of prayer have come when I don’t have the right words for the occasion. Sometimes “God help us!” or “What should I do?” are the most heartfelt prayers one can offer. Sometimes I don’t have any words at all.
But I also know the power of knowing that you are not the only one who is praying. Yesterday, we prayed together.

We ought to do that more often.

These are the words of Myrlie Evers-Williams. May we refrain from our partisan bickering and refrain from our attacks and criticisms enough to simply pray together as a nation.

America, we are here, our nation’s Capitol on this January the 21st 2013, the inauguration of our 45th [editor’s note, should be 44th] president Barack Obama. We come at this time to ask blessings upon our leaders, the president, vice president, members of Congress, all elected and appointed officials of the United States of America. We are here to ask blessings upon our armed forces, blessings upon all who contribute to the essence of the American spirit, the American dream. The opportunity to become whatever our mankind, womankind, allows us to be. This is the promise of America.

As we sing the words of belief, “this is my country,” let us act upon the meaning that everyone is included. May the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of every woman, man, boy and girl be honored. May all your people, especially the least of these, flourish in our blessed nation. One hundred fifty years after the Emancipation Proclamation and 50 years after the March on Washington, we celebrate the spirit of our ancestors, which has allowed us to move from a nation of unborn hopes and a history of disenfranchised [votes] to today’s expression of a more perfect union. We ask, too, almighty that where our paths seem blanketed by [throngs] of oppression and riddle by pangs of despair we ask for your guidance toward the light of deliverance. And that the vision of those that came before us and dreamed of this day, that we recognize that their visions still inspire us.

They are a great cloud of witnesses unseen by the naked eye but all around us thankful that their living was not in vain. For every mountain you gave us the strength to climb. Your grace is pleaded to continue that climb for America and the world. We now stand beneath the shadow nation’s Capitol whose golden dome reflects the unity and democracy of one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Approximately four miles from where we are assembled the hallowed remains of men and women rest in Arlington Cemetery. They who believed, fought and died for this country. May their spirit infuse our being to work together with respect, enabling us to continue to build this nation, and in so doing we send a message to the world that we are strong, fierce in our strength, and ever vigilant in our pursuit of freedom. We ask that you grant our president the will to act courageously but cautiously when confronted with danger and to act prudently but deliberately when challenged by adversity. Please continue to bless his efforts to lead by example in consideration and favor of the diversity of our people.

Bless our families all across this nation.

We thank you for this opportunity of prayer to strengthen us for the journey through the days that lie ahead.

We invoke the prayers of our grandmothers, who taught us to pray, ‘God make me a blessing.’ Let their spirit guide us as we claim the spirit of old.

There’s something within me that holds the reins. There’s something within me that banishes pain. There’s something within me I cannot explain. But all I know America, there is something within. There is something within.

In Jesus’ name and the name of all who are holy and right we pray. Amen.

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