'If wisdom which comes from You be lacking, we count for nothing.'
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A number of prayer initiatives are set to blanket Washington, DC in the lead-up to the moment President-elect Donald Trump takes the Oath of Office on Jan. 20, 2025.
The archbishop of New York is scheduled to offer an opening prayer prior to Trump's swearing-in – now less than two weeks away. Cardinal Timothy Dolan made the announcement during a recent interview on a local TV station.
"The president was kind enough to ask me to do the opening prayer," Dolan informed WPIX. "He had asked me to do the one in 2016 [sic] too, so [when] he asked me this time, I said, 'Well I did it eight years ago; I hope this one works.'"
In another interview with Catholic-educated Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, the 74-year-old prelate said he believes Trump has "tapped" into the nation's "newfound appreciation for the role of faith."
"I've had talks with him before ... he takes his Christian faith seriously. He has a lot of memories about Norman Vincent Peale, the famous preacher here in New York, down ... on Fifth Avenue," Dolan said.
The assassination attempts "kind of renewed him," according to the cardinal. "There's something beyond me that I think is watching over me, and it's got a task for me" is how the plain-speaking prelate described Trump's spiritual renewal.
At Trump's 2017 inauguration, the New York cardinal read King Solomon's prayer from the Book of Wisdom:
"Give us wisdom, for we are your servants, weak and short-lived, lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws. Indeed, though one might be perfect among mortals, if wisdom which comes from you be lacking, we count for nothing."
At that time, Dolan said his choice to quote King Solomon's plea for the wisdom to lead Israel according to God's will was an easy decision. "I pray it all the time," he said in his usual garrulous manner, but "the Lord still hasn't answered the prayer."
Joking aside, the cardinal pointed out that Solomon's words have been prayed by leaders for centuries; leaders who begged God "that [Wisdom] may be with me and work with me, that I may know what is pleasing to You."Â
Dolan has not revealed the focus of his opening prayer for the 2025 inauguration.
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
The Inaugural Prayer Breakfast will ring in the day with religious leaders from around nation and the world at the Waldorf Astoria Presidential Ballroom in the nation's capitol.
Intercessory prayers and worship are offered to God on behalf of the office of the president and government of the nation – this occurring every four years prior to the new US administration assuming office. The host, Rev. Merrie Turner, says the attendees gather in the spirit of Psalm 33:12:
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
Renowned Nigerian gospel artist and pastor Nathaniel Bassey, famous for proclaiming the good news with his trumpet and his voice, will perform this year.
Reflecting on the goal of his participation in the Prayer Breakfast, Bassey posted on Instagram:
"Let's raise a sound in America. And let the King of Glory come in."
Among other notable prayer warriors and evangelicals scheduled are Alveda King, niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.; Christian patriot Ben Bergquam, host of the popular Law and Border series on RAV News; and Pastor Mario Bramnick, an increasingly influential evangelical from Broward County, Florida.
'ONE AMERICA, ONE LIGHT SUNDAY SERVICE'
Trump's transition team is preparing a morning interfaith service one day before the inauguration on Sunday, Jan. 19.
The "One America, One Light Sunday Service" is promoted as being attended by "President Donald J. Trump and Mrs. Melania Trump" and featuring performances by US Military bands.
This interfaith service on Sunday is sandwiched in between a "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" on Saturday and a candlelight dinner later that evening on the 19th with the Trumps.
Critics maintain that while these events are apparently designed to unite Americans in prayer, the high cost of their admittance fees is earning their description as a "pay to pray" endeavor.
INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA
Numerous calls for prayer for Trump's safe and successful inauguration have been emanating from social media.
One group, Intercessors for America (IFA), is calling on all citizens to fast and pray in the lead-up to Jan. 20 – in unity with others or alone, if necessary.
One of IFA's organizers explains the spiritual stakes of the "holy fast":
"This newly formed administration will have four short years to deracinate the systemic roots of corruption in Washington, D.C., restore to prominence the biblical principles upon which this nation was established, and, with all excellence, reclaim the form and spirit of governance our Founders gave to us. These heroes of history derived this lasting blueprint through rigorous learning, keen discernment of human nature, and the ardent study of scripture."
A Souls and Liberty reader reminded this writer that any prayer initiative must keep Christ at the center.
In other words, although prayer initiatives may be "blanketing," i.e., spreading across DC, the most efficacious prayers are, like Christ's Cross, both horizontal and vertical.
The horizontal beam of Christ's Cross symbolizes our relationship with other people; the vertical beam symbolizes our relationship with God. We need both to form a Cross.
According to this reader, "Our prayers need to spread out across the land – and always upwards to God."
Dr. Barbara Toth has a doctorate in rhetoric and composition from Bowling Green State University. She has taught high school in Poland and Oman and at universities in the US, China and Saudi Arabia. Her work in setting up a writing center at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahmen University, an all-women's university in Riyadh, has been cited in American journals. Toth has published academic and non-academic articles and poems internationally.
Editor's note:
HOW SOULS AND LIBERTYÂ WILL MOVE FORWARD THE NEXT FOUR YEARS
There can be no doubt we have witnessed an extraordinary moment in the history of the United States and the world. The election of Donald Trump to a second Presidential term is a great victory for Christian patriots, but it is not a complete or final victory. Rather, it is a reprieve from the ceaseless assaults on life, liberty and faith we have had to endure for four years.
Donald Trump will be president once again in a matter of weeks. Even now, his decisions, Cabinet selections, and force of personality are shaping the United States and the world in ways we could only dream of.
We have a Heaven-sent opportunity to step up and ensure this victory is not merely a one-off, but the first of many and the foundation of a lasting legacy of patriotic, Christian, pro-family policies.
Souls and Liberty will be part of that effort, but we cannot do it without you. It will require reporting and activism that YOU can be a part of.
Can you step up and support us? Just once – a one-time donation is very valuable. Or, better yet, support us every month with a recurring donation. Thank you, and may God bless you.
Stephen Wynne
Editor-in-Chief, Souls and Liberty