Excerpts from Inaugural Prayers

Excerpts of the Inaugural Prayers of Recent Presidents

"In performing the duties of my office, I need the help and the prayers of every one of you ... the American people stand firm in the faith which has inspired this Nation from the beginning ...We believe that all men are created equal because they are created in the image of God. From this faith we will not be moved ...  Harry S. Truman 

Would you permit me the privilege of uttering a little private prayer of my own. And I ask that you bow your heads.   Almighty God, as we stand here ... beseeching that Thou will make full and complete our dedication ...Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby ..Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race, or calling.  May cooperation ... be the mutual aim of those who ... hold to differing political faiths; so that all may work for the good of our beloved country and Thy glory. Amen ... Dwight D. Eisenhower

Man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.  The same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- The belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God. John F. Kennedy

We have no promise from God that our greatness will endure ... If we fail now, we shall have forgotten ... that the judgment of God is harshest on those who are most favored.  Lyndon B. Johnson

As all are born equal in dignity before God, so must all be born equal in dignity before man.  Richard M. Nixon

I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers ...I now solemnly reaffirm my promise ... to uphold the Constitution, to do what is right as God gives me to see the right.  Gerald R. Ford

"'What does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.'"  James E. Carter

We are a nation under God ... It would be fitting ... I think, if on each Inauguration Day in future years it should be declared a day of prayer ... With God's help, we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us. And after all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans.  Ronald R. Reagan

Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love ... Make us strong to do Your work, willing to heed and hear Your will ... And if our flaws are endless, God's love is truly boundless ... God bless you and God bless the United States of America.  George H.W. Bush

The Scripture says, 'And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not' ... With God's help, we must answer the call. Thank you and God bless you.   William J. Clinton

I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity. I know this is within our reach, because we are guided by a power larger than ourselves, Who creates us equal in His image.  George W. Bush

Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.  Barack H. Obama