I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. -1 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV

On this Inauguration Day, I want to remind us as Christians that scripture tells us to pray for all of those in authority, as the passage above from Paul says. We pray so that, as the Bible reminds us, "we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness in holiness." That is what we want our leaders to do -- to help create a world in which all of us can live peaceful and quiet lives -- reflecting God's love and grace.

So, how do we pray for those who lead us -- especially for an incoming President? Some of our Psalms appear to be written as prayers for the King of Israel. Now we have a very different system of government in our nation. We do not have kings or queens, but leaders elected by the people. However, if we're looking for scripture to guide us in how to pray and what to pray for when it comes to our leaders, the Psalms can help guide us.

So, for our prayer today I have included most of Psalm 72. My Bible says that it was written for King Solomon by David, who would later be king himself. I want to invite you to use this prayer today to pray for our incoming President, as well as for any other incoming elected leaders. You will see I have put the word "President" in brackets next to the word "King" as well as bracketing the word "royal" to help adjust the passage to our context.

May this be a day of peace in our nation!

Prayer for Today

Endow the king [President] with your justice, O God,

   the [royal] son with your righteousness.

May he judge your people in righteousness,

   your afflicted ones with justice.

May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,

   the hills the fruit of righteousness.

May he defend the afflicted among the people

   and save the children of the needy;

   may he crush the oppressor.

May he endure as long as the sun,

   as long as the moon, through all generations.

May he be like rain falling on a mown field,

   like showers watering the earth.

In his days may the righteous flourish

   and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,

   the afflicted who have no one to help.

He will take pity on the weak and the needy

   and save the needy from death.

He will rescue them from oppression and violence,

   for precious is their blood in his sight.

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,

   who alone does marvelous deeds.

Praise be to his glorious name forever;

   may the whole earth be filled with his glory.

Amen and Amen. 

-Psalm 72:1-7, 12-14, 18-19, NIV