Since 1937, the
United States presidential inauguration
The inauguration of the president of the United States is a ceremony to mark the commencement of a new four-year term of the president of the United States. During this ceremony, between 73 to 79 days after the presidential election, the pres ...
has included one or more prayers given by members of the clergy.
Since 1933 an associated prayer service either public or private attended by the president-elect has often taken place on the morning of the day.
At times a major public or broadcast prayer service takes place after the main ceremony most recently on the next day.
[
]
List of clergy at main ceremony
January 20,
1937 inaugural of Franklin D. Roosevelt
*Invocation by Chaplain
ZeBarney Thorne Phillips
ZeBarney Thorne Phillips (May 1, 1875 – May 1942) was an Episcopal clergyman who served as Chaplain of the Senate (1927–1942).
Early years
ZeBarney Thorne Phillips was born in Springfield, Ohio, May 1, 1875, the son of ZeBarney and Sallie E ...
–
Episcopalian
Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of the ...
,
Chaplain of the United States Senate
The chaplain of the United States Senate opens each session of the United States Senate with a prayer, and provides and coordinates religious programs and pastoral care support for senators, their staffs, and their families. The chaplain is appoi ...
*Benediction by Father
John A. Ryan
John Augustine Ryan (1869–1945) was an American Catholic priest who was a noted moral theologian and advocate of social justice. Ryan lived during a decisive moment in the development of Catholic social teaching within the United States. The l ...
–
Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
, professor,
Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Roman Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by U.S. ...
January 20,
1941 inaugural of Franklin D. Roosevelt
*Invocation by Chaplain ZeBarney Phillips
*Benediction by Father
Michael J. Ready, Catholic, general secretary of the
National Catholic Welfare Conference
January 20,
1945 inaugural of Franklin D. Roosevelt
*Invocation by Bishop
Angus Dun
Angus Dun (May 4, 1892 – August 12, 1971) was a noted United States clergyman and author, who was the 4th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington in Washington, DC.
Life and work Early life
Angus Dun, son of Henry W. and Sarah R. (H ...
– Episcopalian, Bishop of Washington
*Benediction by Monsignor
John A. Ryan
John Augustine Ryan (1869–1945) was an American Catholic priest who was a noted moral theologian and advocate of social justice. Ryan lived during a decisive moment in the development of Catholic social teaching within the United States. The l ...
– Catholic
January 20,
1949 inaugural of Harry S. Truman
*Invocation by Rev. Edward Hughes Pruden,
Baptist
Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only ( believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul c ...
, First Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.
*Prayer by Rabbi Samuel Thurman,
Jewish
Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...
,
United Hebrew Congregation, St. Louis, Missouri
*Benediction by Archbishop
Patrick A. O’Boyle, Catholic,
Archbishop of Washington
January 20,
1953 inaugural of Dwight D. Eisenhower
*Invocation by Archbishop Patrick A. O’Boyle, Catholic, Archbishop of Washington
*Prayer by Rabbi
Abba Hillel Silver
Abba Hillel Silver (January 28, 1893 – November 28, 1963) was an American Rabbi and Zionist leader. He was a key figure in the mobilization of American support for the founding of the State of Israel, though he saw such a settlement as a me ...
, Jewish
*Prayer by President Eisenhower
*Benediction by Rev.
Henry Knox Sherrill
Henry Knox Sherrill (November 6, 1890 – May 11, 1980) was an Episcopal bishop. He was the 20th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church from 1947 to 1958, having previously served as Bishop of Massachusetts (1930-1947).
Biography
Henry Knox ...
, Episcopalian,
Presiding Bishop
January 21,
1957 inaugural of Dwight D. Eisenhower
*Invocation by Rev.
Edward L. R. Elson – Presbyterian, Chaplain of the United States Senate
*Prayer by Archbishop
Michael (Konstantinides) –
Orthodox,
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, headquartered in New York City, is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its current primate is Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Archbishop
On May 11, 2019, the church's H ...
*Prayer by Rabbi
Louis Finkelstein, Jewish
*Benediction by Cardinal
Edward Mooney – Catholic,
Archbishop of Detroit
In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdio ...
January 20,
1961 inaugural of John F. Kennedy
*Invocation by Cardinal
Richard Cushing
Richard James Cushing (August 24, 1895 – November 2, 1970) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Boston from 1944 to 1970 and was made a cardinal in 1958. Cushing's main role was as fundraiser and builder ...
– Catholic,
Archbishop of Boston
The Archdiocese of Boston ( la, Archidiœcesis Bostoniensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church located in the New England region of the United States. Its territorial remit encompasses the whole of ...
*Prayer by Archbishop
Iakovos (Koukouzis) –
Orthodox,
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, headquartered in New York City, is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its current primate is Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Archbishop
On May 11, 2019, the church's H ...
*Prayer by Rev. Dr. John Barclay, pastor of the
Central Christian Church of Austin, Texas
*Benediction by Rabbi
Nelson Glueck
Nelson Glueck (June 4, 1900 – February 12, 1971) was an American rabbi, academic and archaeologist. He served as president of Hebrew Union College from 1947 until his death, and his pioneering work in biblical archaeology resulted in the disco ...
– Jewish
January 20,
1965 inaugural of Lyndon B. Johnson
*Invocation by Archbishop
Robert E. Lucey – Catholic,
Archbishop of San Antonio
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio is an archdiocese of the Catholic Church in the United States, and sui juris Latin Church in full communion with the pope of Rome. It encompasses in the U.S. state of Texas. The Roman Catholic Archdi ...
*Prayer by Rabbi
Hyman Judah Schachtel – Jewish,
Congregation Beth Israel of Houston
*Prayer by Rev. Dr. George R. Davis –
Disciples of Christ
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States and Canada. The denomination started with the Restoration Movement during the Second Great Awakening, first existing during the 19th ...
*Benediction by Archbishop
Iakovos (Koukouzis) –
Orthodox,
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, headquartered in New York City, is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its current primate is Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Archbishop
On May 11, 2019, the church's H ...
January 20,
1969 inaugural of Richard Nixon
*Invocation by Rev. Charles Ewbank Tucker –
African Methodist Episcopal Zion
African or Africans may refer to:
* Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa:
** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa
*** Ethn ...
, bishop
*Prayer by Rabbi
Edgar F. Magnin – Jewish, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Los Angeles
*Prayer by Archbishop
Iakovos (Koukouzis) –
Orthodox,
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, headquartered in New York City, is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its current primate is Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Archbishop
On May 11, 2019, the church's H ...
*Prayer by Rev.
Billy Graham
William Franklin Graham Jr. (November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American evangelist and an ordained Southern Baptist minister who became well known internationally in the late 1940s. He was a prominent evangelical Christi ...
–
Southern Baptist
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptists, Baptist denomination, and the Protestantism in the United States, largest Protestantism, Protestant and Christia ...
text of Billy Graham prayer 1969*Benediction by Archbishop
Terence J. Cooke – Catholic,
Archbishop of New York
January 20,
1973 inaugural of Richard M. Nixon
*Invocation by
Rev. E. V. Hill, National Baptist Convention, pastor of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles
*Prayer by Rabbi
Seymour Siegel – Jewish, professor,
Jewish Theological Seminary
*Prayer by Archbishop
Iakovos (Koukouzis) –
Orthodox,
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, headquartered in New York City, is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its current primate is Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Archbishop
On May 11, 2019, the church's H ...
*Benediction by Archbishop Terence J. Cooke – Catholic, Archbishop of New York
January 20,
1977 inaugural of Jimmy Carter
*Invocation by Bishop
William Cannon
William Cannon (March 15, 1809 – March 1, 1865) was an American merchant and politician from Bridgeville, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party and later the Republican Party, who served in the Delaware General ...
–
United Methodist
The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a worldwide mainline Protestant denomination based in the United States, and a major part of Methodism. In the 19th century, its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a leader in evangelica ...
*Benediction by Archbishop
John R. Roach – Catholic
January 20,
1981 inaugural of Ronald Reagan
*Invocation by Rev.
Donn Moomaw – Presbyterian, pastor of
Bel Air Presbyterian Church
Bel Air Church (also known as Bel Air Presbyterian Church) is a Presbyterian church located in Los Angeles, California. Its campus is located on Mulholland Drive in the Encino neighborhood.
History
The Bel Air Church was founded in 1956 in Los ...
in Los Angeles
*Benediction by Rev. Donn Moomaw
January 21,
1985 inaugural of Ronald Reagan
*Invocation by Rev.
Timothy S. Healy – Catholic, president of
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private research university in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded by Bishop John Carroll in 1789 as Georgetown College, the university has grown to comprise eleven undergraduate and graduate ...
*Prayer by Rabbi
Alfred Gottschalk – Jewish, president,
Hebrew Union College
Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...
*Prayer by Rev.
Donn Moomaw – Presbyterian
*Benediction by Rev.
Peter Gomes, chaplain,
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of highe ...
January 20,
1989 inaugural of George H. W. Bush
*Invocation by Rev. Billy Graham – Southern Baptist
text of invocation 1989*Benediction by Rev. Billy Graham – Southern Baptist
January 20,
1993 inaugural of Bill Clinton
*Invocation by Rev. Billy Graham – Southern Baptist
text of invocation 1993*Benediction by Rev. Billy Graham – Southern Baptist
January 20,
1997 inaugural of Bill Clinton
*Invocation by Rev. Billy Graham – Southern Baptist
text of invocation 1997*Benediction by Rev.
Gardner C. Taylor – Baptist
January 20,
2001 inaugural of George W. Bush
*Invocation by Rev.
Franklin Graham
William Franklin Graham III (born July 14, 1952) is an American evangelist and missionary. He frequently engages in Christian revival tours and political commentary. He is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) a ...
– Southern Baptist
text of invocation and benediction 2001*Benediction by Pastor
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell – United Methodist
January 20,
2005 inaugural of George W. Bush
*Invocation by Rev. Luis León – Episcopalian, rector
St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square (Washington, D.C.)br>
Text of Invocation
*Benediction by Pastor
Kirbyjon Caldwell – Senior Pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texa
Text of Benediction
January 20,
2009 inaugural of Barack Obama
*Invocation by Rev. Dr.
Rick Warren
Richard Duane Warren (born January 28, 1954) is an American Southern Baptist evangelical Christian pastor and author. He is the founder of Saddleback Church, an evangelical megachurch affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention in Lake Fo ...
– Baptist, Pastor of the
Saddleback Church
Saddleback Church is a Baptist Evangelical multi-site megachurch, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, located in Lake Forest, California. It is the largest church in California, and one of the largest in the United States of America ...
,
Lake Forest, California
Lake Forest is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 85,858 at the 2020 census.
Lake Forest incorporated as a city on December 20, 1991. Prior to incorporation, the community had been known as El Toro. Following a vote in 20 ...
*Benediction by Rev. Dr.
Joseph E. Lowery – United Methodist
January 21,
2013 inaugural of Barack Obama
*Invocation by
Myrlie Evers-Williams, the first woman and non-clergy to deliver an inaugural prayer.
*Benediction by Rev. Dr. Luis León, fourteenth rector of
St. John's Church St. John's Church, Church of St. John, or variants, thereof, (Saint John or St. John usually refers to John the Baptist, but also, sometimes, to John the Apostle or John the Evangelist) may refer to the following churches, former churches or other ...
. Pastor
Louie Giglio had originally been tapped by the inaugural committee but withdrew amid controversy regarding a sermon perceived by some as anti-ga
he had delivered in the 1990s.
[
]
January 20, 2017
inauguration of Donald Trump
The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States marked the commencement of Donald Trump's term as president and Mike Pence as vice president. An estimated 300,000 to 600,000 people attended the public ceremony ...
*Invocation by Cardinal
Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York
*Invocation by Rev. Dr.
Samuel Rodriguez
Samuel Rodriguez Jr. (born September 29, 1969) is an Evangelical American Christian leader born to Puerto Rican parents in the United States. He is a pastor, movie producer, author, civil rights activist and television personality. He is the pre ...
, President, National Hispanic Leadership Conference
*Invocation by Pastor
Paula White, Senior Pastor, New Destiny Christian Center
*Benediction by Rabbi
Marvin Hier
Marvin (Moshe Chaim) Hier (born 1939 in New York City) is the dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, its Museum of Tolerance and of Moriah, the center's film division.
Early life
Hier was born in 1939 in New York City. His Jewish par ...
, Dean, Simon Wiesenthal Center
*Benediction by Rev.
Franklin Graham
William Franklin Graham III (born July 14, 1952) is an American evangelist and missionary. He frequently engages in Christian revival tours and political commentary. He is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) a ...
, Samaritan's Purse and The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
*Benediction by Bishop
Wayne T. Jackson, Great Faith Ministries International
[
]
January 20, 2021
inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
* Invocation by Rev.
Leo J. O'Donovan
Leo Jeremiah O'Donovan III (born 1934) is an American Catholic priest, Jesuit, and theologian who served as the president of Georgetown University from 1989 to 2001. Born in New York City, he graduated from Georgetown, and while studying in ...
, S.J., former president of Georgetown University
*Benediction by Rev.
Silvester S. Beaman, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware
Associated morning prayer service
Presidents since 1933 have often worshipped privately before the actual ceremony.
*1933 – Franklin Roosevelt attend a service at
St. John's Episcopal Church in the morning (Saturday) before being sworn in.
*1937 – Franklin Roosevelt attended a service at St. John's Episcopal Church in the morning (Wednesday) before being sworn in.
*1941 – Franklin Roosevelt attended a service at St. John's Episcopal Church in the morning (Wednesday) before being sworn in.
*1945 – Franklin Roosevelt had a private service in the White House.
*1949 – Harry Truman attended a service at St. John's Episcopal Church in the morning (Thursday) before being sworn in.
*1953 – Dwight Eisenhower attended a service at
National Presbyterian Church in the morning (Tuesday) before being sworn in.
*1957 – Dwight Eisenhower attended a service at National Presbyterian Church (Sunday) before being sworn in privately. He was publicly sworn in the next day.
*1961 – John F. Kennedy attended the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at
Holy Trinity Church.
*1965 – Lyndon Johnson attended a private service at
National City Christian Church in the morning (Wednesday) before being sworn in. Billy Graham gave
sermon
*1969 – Richard Nixon had a prayer breakfast in the State Department
*1973 – Richard Nixon had no prayer service. He did attend church the next day, a Sunday. There was also a White House Prayer Service with Billy Graham
, Archbishop
Joseph Bernardin
Joseph Louis Bernardin (April 2, 1928 – November 14, 1996) was an American Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Cincinnati from 1972 until 1982, and as Archbishop of Chicago from 1982 until his death in 1996 from ...
, and Rabbi
Edgar F. Magnin as speakers.
*1977 – Jimmy Carter attended a private service at First Baptist Church
[
]
*1981 – Ronald Reagan attended a private service at St. John's Episcopal Church. Speakers included Billy Graham.
*1985 – Ronald Reagan attended a private service a morning prayer service at Washington National Cathedral before taking the presidential oath at the White House on Sunday, January 20. Speakers included Billy Graham. He attended a private service at St. John's Episcopal Church before his public swearing in at the Capitol on Monday, January 21.
*1989 - George H. W. Bush attended a private service at St. John's Episcopal Church.
*1993 - Bill Clinton attended a private service at
Metropolitan AME Church
*1997 - Bill Clinton attended a private service at Metropolitan AME Church
*2001 – George W. Bush attended a private service at St. John's Episcopal Church on January 20
*2009 – Barack Obama attended a private service at St. John's Episcopal Church
*2013 – Barack Obama attended a private service at St. John's Episcopal Church on the morning of Monday, January 21, immediately before his public inaugural ceremony. (He had privately been sworn in the previous day.)
*2017 – Donald Trump attended a private service at St. John's Episcopal Church
*2021 – Joe Biden attended a private mass of thanksgiving at the
Cathedral of St. Matthew. Fr.
Kevin F. O'Brien, preached and presided.
Public prayer service
In 1789 George Washington along with Congress attended a service at
St. Paul's Chapel
St. Paul's Chapel is a chapel building of Trinity Church, an episcopal parish, located at 209 Broadway, between Fulton Street and Vesey Street, in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Built in 1766, it is the oldest surviving church building in Man ...
in New York City after his swearing in. The ceremony was presided over by Bishop
Samuel Provoost. No similar service is known until 1933.
Sunday, March 5, 1933 "National Inaugural Prayer Service" at
Washington National Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, commonly known as Washington National Cathedral, is an American cathedral of the Episcopal Church. The cathedral is located in Washington, D.C., the ca ...
. Presided over by Episcopal Bishop
James Edward Freeman of Washington.
Thursday, January 20, 1977 James Carter had a half-hour interfaith prayer service at the Lincoln Memorial in the morning (8am) before the main ceremony; he did not attend.
[
][
] Speakers included
*
Martin Luther King Sr., father of
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...
*Rev. Bruce Edwards,
Plains, Georgia
*
Ruth Carter Stapleton
Ruth Carter Stapleton (''née'' Carter; August 7, 1929 – September 26, 1983) was an American Christian Evangelism, evangelist. She was the youngest sister of United States President Jimmy Carter.
Early life and family
Ruth Carter was born Aug ...
*
Leontyne Price
Mary Violet Leontyne Price (born February 10, 1927) is an American soprano who was the first African American soprano to receive international acclaim. From 1961 she began a long association with the Metropolitan Opera, where she was the first Af ...
and
Sherrill Milnes
Sherrill Milnes (born January 10, 1935) is an American dramatic baritone most famous for his Verdi roles. From 1965 until 1997 he was associated with the Metropolitan Opera. His voice is a high dramatic baritone, combining good legato with an in ...
sang
1981 Ronald Reagan had a service at
National City Christian Church on Thomas Circle, Washington, D.C., but he did not attend.
Sunday, January 20, 1985 Ronald Reagan had a public service at the Washington National Cathedral. Speakers included
*Billy Graham gave
sermon
Sunday, January 22, 1989 George H. W. Bush attended a Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral the day after his swearing in.
[
]
*
John T. Walker, Episcopal Bishop of Washington presided
*Charles A. Perry, Cathedral Provost, officiated
Sermons were given by
*
Peter Gomes, Harvard Chaplain
*
John Ashcroft
John David Ashcroft (born May 9, 1942) is an American lawyer, lobbyist and former politician who served as the 79th U.S. Attorney General in the George W. Bush administration from 2001 to 2005. A former U.S. Senator from Missouri and the 50th ...
, governor of Missouri
*
Edmond Lee Browning, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church
Other participants included
*Rabbi Matthew H. Simon from the B’nai Israel Congregation in Rockville, Maryland, read from the Torah
*Vilma Guerrero Smith read reading part of the Forty-seventh Psalm
*Rev. Canon Carole Crumley read part of the fifth chapter of Matthew
*Cardinal
James Hickey, Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington, read from the New Testament
*
Iakovos, archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, read from the New Testament
*
George Walker Bush
George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush family, and son of the 41st president George H. W. Bush, he ...
read a prayer
*Mrs. James A. Baker, III, honorary chairman for the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, read a prayer
*Rev. Stephen E. Smallman (Vice-President Quayle’s pastor) from McLean, Virginia, read from the Old Testament
Sunday, January 21, 2001 – George W. Bush had a prayer service at the National Cathedral.
[
]
*Nathan D. Baxter, dean of the Cathedral
*
Jane Holmes Dixon, bishop of Washington pro tempore (Episcopalian)
*
Franklin Graham
William Franklin Graham III (born July 14, 1952) is an American evangelist and missionary. He frequently engages in Christian revival tours and political commentary. He is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) a ...
gave the sermon
*Rabbi
Samuel Karff from
Congregation Beth Israel of Houston read Jeremiah 29:11–13 and gave one of the prayers
*Beulah “Bubba” Dailey of Austin Street Center in Dallas, read Proverbs 3:1–8
*Archbishop
Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America led the people responsively in the Twenty-Third Psalm. He also gave one of the prayers.
*Mark Craig of
Highland Park United Methodist Church
Highland Park United Methodist Church is a United Methodist church in Dallas, Texas.
Location
It is located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, at 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75205.
History
In February 1916, a Methodist congreg ...
in Dallas, read 1 John 4:7–8
*
Theodore E. McCarrick, Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington, read Matthew 6:25–33 and gave one of the prayers
*
Kirbyjon Caldwell of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, read the Prayer for the Nation.
*Rev. Peter Grandell, Cathedral staff
*Rev.
Luis León, rector of St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.
*Rev.
Suzanne Love Harris, of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
*Dr.
Jack Hayford
Jack Williams Hayford (born June 25, 1934) is an American author, Pentecostal minister, and Chancellor Emeritus of The King's University (formerly The King's College and Seminary). He is a former senior pastor of The Church On The Way in Van Nu ...
, pastor of the Church on the Way, Van Nuys, California
Friday, January 21, 2005 – George W. Bush had a service at the National Cathedral the day after the inauguration. Speakers included:
[
]
*
John Bryson Chane, Bishop of Washington, Episcopalian
*A. Theodore Eastman, Vicar of Washington National Cathedral, Episcopalian
*Mark Craig, Dallas, Texas, United Methodist, gave the sermon
*
Billy Graham
William Franklin Graham Jr. (November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American evangelist and an ordained Southern Baptist minister who became well known internationally in the late 1940s. He was a prominent evangelical Christi ...
, Charlotte, North Carolina, Southern Baptist
prayer
*Rabbi
Morton Yolkut, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
*Bishop
G. E. Patterson, Memphis, Tennessee,
Church of God in Christ
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is a Holiness– Pentecostal Christian denomination, and the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States. Although an international and multi-ethnic religious organization, it has a predominantly ...
*
Luis Cortes, Jr., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Baptist
*The Metropolitan
Herman Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of all America and Canada Orthodox Church of America, Syosset, New York
*Cardinal
William Keeler, Baltimore, Maryland, Catholic
*Imam
Yahya Hendi Muslim Chaplain, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (Did not participate because of illness.)
*Cardinal
Theodore Edgar McCarrick, Washington, DC, Catholic
*Archbishop
Demetrios Primate of the
Greek Orthodox Church in America Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, New York, New York
*
Kirbyjon Caldwell, Houston, Texas, United Methodist
*Canon Mary Sulerud, Washington, DC, Episcopalian
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 – Barack Obama had a service at 10am in the National Cathedral.
*Episcopal Rev.
Samuel T. Lloyd III, Dean of the Washington National Cathedral – welcome
*Episcopal Diocese of Washington Bishop
John Bryson Chane – invocation
*Rev. Otis Moss Jr., senior pastor emeritus at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio – opening prayer
*Rev.
Sharon E. Watkins, general minister and president of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States and Canada. The denomination started with the Restoration Movement during the Second Great Awakening, first existing during the 19th ...
– sermon
*Rev.
Andy Stanley, senior pastor, North Point Community Church, Alpharetta, Georgia – prayer for civil leaders
Scripture readings by
*Dr.
Cynthia Hale, senior pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church, Atlanta, Georgia
*
Archbishop Demetrios
Archbishop Demetrios (born Demetrios Trakatellis; el, Δημήτριος Τρακατέλλης) is a former elder archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He resigned from this pos ...
, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, New York City
*Rev.
Francisco González, S.F., auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Washington
*Rabbi
David Saperstein, executive director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Washington, D.C.
Responsive prayers by
*Dr.
Ingrid Mattson
Ingrid Mattson (born August 24, 1963) is a Canadian activist and scholar, A professor of Islamic studies, she is currently the London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario ...
, president,
Islamic Society of North America
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is a nonprofit organization based in Plainfield, Indiana. It provides a number of programs and services to the Muslim community and broader society. ISNA holds an annual convention which is generally re ...
, Hartford, Connecticut
*Rev.
Suzan Johnson Cook
Suzan Denise Johnson Cook (born January 28, 1957) is a U.S. presidential advisor, pastor, theologian, author, activist, and academic who served as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom from April 2011 to Oct ...
, senior pastor, Bronx Christian Fellowship, New York City
*Rabbi
Jerome Epstein, director, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, New York City
*Rev. Carol Wade, canon precentor of the Washington National Cathedral
*Dr.
Uma Mysorekar, president, Hindu Temple Society of North America, New York City
*Rev.
Jim Wallis
James E. Wallis Jr. (born June 4, 1948) is an American theologian, writer, teacher and political activist. He is best known as the founder and editor of ''Sojourners'' magazine and as the founder of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian commu ...
, president, Sojourners, Washington, D.C.
*Rabbi
Haskel Lookstein, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurunm, New York City
*Pastor
Kirbyjon Caldwell, senior pastor, Windsor Village United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas
*Archbishop
Donald Wuerl
Donald William Wuerl (born November 12, 1940) is an American prelate, a cardinal, of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Washington, D.C., from 2006 to 2018. He was elevated by Pope John Paul II to serve as auxiliary bishop of S ...
, Roman Catholic Diocese of Washington – a prayer for the nation
*Episcopal Presiding Bishop
Katharine Jefferts Schori
Katharine Jefferts Schori (born March 26, 1954) is the former Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of the United States. Previously elected as the 9th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, she was the first woman elected ...
– closing prayer
*Rev.
Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, general secretary of the
Reformed Church in America
The Reformed Church in America (RCA) is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination in Canada and the United States. It has about 152,317 members. From its beginning in 1628 until 1819, it was the North American branch of the Dutch Reformed ...
– Benediction
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 – An interfaith National Prayer Service at 10:30 am in the National Cathedral was attended by President Obama, Vice President Biden and their spouses.
*Bishop
Mariann Edgar Budde of the
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is a diocese of the Episcopal Church covering Washington, D.C. and nearby counties of Maryland in the United States. With a membership of over 38,000, the diocese is led by the Bishop of Washington, Mariann ...
and Rev. Gary Hall, dean of the
Washington National Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, commonly known as Washington National Cathedral, is an American cathedral of the Episcopal Church. The cathedral is located in Washington, D.C., the ca ...
gave the welcome.
*Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, president and General Minister of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States and Canada. The denomination started with the Restoration Movement during the Second Great Awakening, first existing during the 19th ...
gave the opening acclamation.
*Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, co-chair of the National African American Clergy Network gave the prayer for the day.
*Rev. Elder
Nancy L. Wilson, moderator of the
Metropolitan Community Church
The Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), also known as the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), is an international LGBT-affirming mainline Protestant Christian denomination. There are 222 member congregations in 37 ...
gave the first reading.
*Rabbi
Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president of the
Rabbinical Assembly led the reading of the psalm.
*Cantor Mikhail Manevich of the
Washington Hebrew Congregation
Washington Hebrew Congregation (WHC) is a Reform Jewish synagogue in Washington, D.C. Washington Hebrew Congregation is currently a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. It is one of the largest Reform congregations in the United States, with 2,7 ...
gave the invitation to prayer.
*Rev. Dr.
Leith Anderson, president of the
National Association of Evangelicals
The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is an association of evangelical denominations, organizations, schools, churches and individuals, member of the World Evangelical Alliance. The association represents more than 45,000 local churches ...
, Kathryn Lohre, president of the
National Council of Churches
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, usually identified as the National Council of Churches (NCC), is the largest ecumenical body in the United States. NCC is an ecumenical partnership of 38 Christian faith groups in the Un ...
, and Imam Mohamed Magid, president of the
Islamic Society of North America
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is a nonprofit organization based in Plainfield, Indiana. It provides a number of programs and services to the Muslim community and broader society. ISNA holds an annual convention which is generally re ...
together gave the prayer for those who govern.
*Cardinal
Donald Wuerl
Donald William Wuerl (born November 12, 1940) is an American prelate, a cardinal, of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Washington, D.C., from 2006 to 2018. He was elevated by Pope John Paul II to serve as auxiliary bishop of S ...
of the
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
The Archdiocese of Washington is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church in the United States. Its territorial remit encompasses the District of Columbia and the counties of Calvert, Charles, Montgomer ...
led the second reading.
*Abdullah M. Khouj, president and imam of the Islamic Center of Washington, gave a traditional Islamic call to prayer.
*Sapreet Kaur, national executive director of the
Sikh Coalition The Sikh Coalition is a Sikh-American advocacy group that defends Sikh civil rights founded in 2001 with offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Fremont, California.
The Sikh Coalition, was originally named the Coalition of Sikh Organi ...
, Rev. Charles Jenkins II, senior pastor of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, and Dr.
Stephen F. Schneck, of the Catholic University of America led the prayer for those who serve.
*Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition led the third reading.
*Allison Mondel, cantor of Washington National Cathedral, gave an invitation to prayer.
*Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR Jewish Community, Rev. Dr. Serene Jones of
Union Theological Seminary (New York)
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (UTS) is a private ecumenical Christian liberal seminary in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, affiliated with neighboring Columbia University. Since 1928, the seminary has served as Columbia's co ...
, and
Archbishop Demetrios of America
Archbishop Demetrios (born Demetrios Trakatellis; el, Δημήτριος Τρακατέλλης) is a former elder archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He resigned from this pos ...
, primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America gave the prayers for the people.
*Dr.
Wintley Phipps
Wintley Augustus Phipps, Sr. (born January 7, 1955) is a Trinidadian-American singer, songwriter, record producer, and minister, and founder of the U.S. Dream Academy, Songs of Freedom Publishing Company, and Coral Records Recording Company. He ...
of the Dream Academy gave the anthem.
*Presiding Bishop
Katharine Jefferts Schori
Katharine Jefferts Schori (born March 26, 1954) is the former Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of the United States. Previously elected as the 9th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, she was the first woman elected ...
of the Episcopal Church gave the prayer for the nation.
*Rev.
Kirbyjon Caldwell of
Windsor Village United Methodist Church led the Lord's Prayer.
*Rev. Dr.
Raphael Warnock of
Ebenezer Baptist Church gave the benediction.
Saturday, January 21, 2017 – An interfaith National Prayer Service in Washington National Cathedral was attended by President Trump, Vice President Pence and their spouses.
* Carlyle Begay of the Navajo offered the invocation.
* Bishop
Mariann Edgar Budde of the
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is a diocese of the Episcopal Church covering Washington, D.C. and nearby counties of Maryland in the United States. With a membership of over 38,000, the diocese is led by the Bishop of Washington, Mariann ...
gave the welcome.
* Bishop
James B. Magness, bishop suffragan for
Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of the Episcopal Church led the opening acclamation.
* Dean
Randolph Marshall Hollerith of Washington National Cathedral led the opening prayer.
* Mikhail Manevich of
Washington Hebrew Congregation
Washington Hebrew Congregation (WHC) is a Reform Jewish synagogue in Washington, D.C. Washington Hebrew Congregation is currently a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. It is one of the largest Reform congregations in the United States, with 2,7 ...
gave a Jewish call to prayer.
* Rabbi Fred Raskind of Temple Bet Yam, St. Augustine, Florida, read the first reading.
* Evangelist
Alveda King
Alveda Celeste King (born January 22, 1951) is an American activist, author, and former state representative for the 28th District in the Georgia House of Representatives.
She is a niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and daughte ...
, Director of Civil Rights for the Unborn,
Priests for Life; Bishop
Harry R. Jackson, Jr., Hope Christian Church, Beltsville, Maryland; and Narayanachar Digalakote, Senior Priest, Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, Lanham, Maryland, led prayers for those who govern.
* Elder
D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, led a prayer for civil leaders.
* Imam Mohamed Magid, Executive Imam,
ADAMS Center, Sterling, Virginia, gave the Muslim call to prayer.
* Sajid Tarar, Advisor, Medina Masjid, Baltimore, Maryland, read the second reading.
* Pastor Greg Laurie, Senior Pastor, Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside & Irvine, California, and Dr. Jack Graham, Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas, led prayers for those who serve.
*
Archbishop Demetrios
Archbishop Demetrios (born Demetrios Trakatellis; el, Δημήτριος Τρακατέλλης) is a former elder archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He resigned from this pos ...
of America, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America led a prayer for service to others.
* Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan of the Washington National Cathedral gave the Christian call to prayer.
* Dr. David Jeremiah, Senior Pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, California read the third reading.
* Dr. Ronnie W. Floyd, Senior Pastor, Cross Church, Arkansas, read
Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is the 23rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The Lord is my shepherd". In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a boo ...
.
* Dr. David D. Swanson, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Orlando, Florida, read the fourth reading.
* Jesse Singh, Chairman, Sikhs of America; Minister Ian McIlraith, Director of Youth Programs,
Soka Gakkai International-USA, Santa Monica, California; and Anthony Vance, Director of Public Affairs, United States Baha’i Community, led prayers for the people.
* Cissie Graham Lynch, Samaritan’s Purse, lead a prayer for peace.
* Pastor Ramiro Peña, Senior Pastor, Christ the King Baptist Church, Waco, Texas, led the Lord's Prayer.
* Cardinal
Donald Wuerl
Donald William Wuerl (born November 12, 1940) is an American prelate, a cardinal, of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Washington, D.C., from 2006 to 2018. He was elevated by Pope John Paul II to serve as auxiliary bishop of S ...
, archbishop of Washington, Roman Catholic Church, led a prayer for our country.
* Bishop Magness offered the closing prayer.
* Bishop Budde gave the blessing.
* Rev. Darrell Scott, Senior Pastor, New Spirit Revival Center, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, gave the dismissal.
Thursday, January 21, 2021 – Virtual Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service hosted by Washington National Cathedral at 10 a.m.
The Rev. Dr.
William J. Barber, II co-chair, Poor People's Campaign, preached. Other participants included:
* The Most Rev.
Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
* The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Diocesan Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
* The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
*
Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
* Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
* Rabbi Sharon Brous, Senior Rabbi, IKAR
* Jonathan Nez, President, Navajo Nation
* Phefelia Nez, First Lady, Navajo Nation
* The Rev.
Jim Wallis
James E. Wallis Jr. (born June 4, 1948) is an American theologian, writer, teacher and political activist. He is best known as the founder and editor of ''Sojourners'' magazine and as the founder of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian commu ...
, Founder and Ambassador of Sojourners
* Sr. Carol Keehan, Former President and CEO, Catholic Health Association
* The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ
* Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Senior Advisor, Emgage NY and President, Muslim Community Network
* Imam Azhar Subedar, Imam, IACC
* The Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra, Assistant Professor of Mission and Global Transformation, Fuller Theological Seminary
* Barbara Satin, Faith Work Director, The National LGBTQ Task Force
* Anuttama Dasa, Global Minister of Communications, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
* Valarie Kaur, Sikh American Activist, Author of “See No Stranger”
* The Rev. Dr. Gregory Knox Jones, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church
* Bishop Vashti McKenzie, African Methodist Episcopal Church
* The Rev. Dr. Paula Stone Williams, Author and Pastor, Left Hand Church
* The Rev. Fred Davie, Executive Vice President, Union Theological Seminary
* The Rev. Robert W. Fisher, Rector, St. John’s, Lafayette Square
* The Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
* Emma Petty Addams, Executive Director, Mormon Women for Ethical Government
* The Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church
* The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kuan, President, Claremont School of Theology
* First Lady Robin Jackson, Brookland Baptist Church
* The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Senior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church
* The Revd. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan, Canon for Worship, Washington National Cathedral
* The Rev.
Robert W. Lee, Pastor, Unifour Church
* Sr. Norma Pimentel, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
*
Jen Hatmaker
Jennifer Lynn Hatmaker (née King; born 1974) is an American author, speaker, blogger, and television presenter.
She has been featured in ''Christianity Today'' magazine. She and her then-husband Brandon, joined by their five children, host the ...
, NYT Bestselling Author, Podcast Host, and Speaker
References
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