Inauguration Invocation for Iowa Governor Reynolds & Lt. Governor Gregg Jan 18, 2019

I am blessed to be the Pastor of a small but diverse new start congregation of the United Methodist Church in Johnston Iowa.  One of our members is the new Lt. Governor Adam Gregg.  Their family is highly involved in church leadership, music, finance, and children’s ministry.  As a pastor who is Kingdom of God focused and not political, I was surprised and blessed to be asked to participate in both the Prayer and Dedication Service at Lutheran Church of Hope on Thursday evening, and to give the Invocation at the Inauguration ceremony.  (I must say that writing a prayer for such a service required a lot of personal prayer, centering, and contemplation.) I am glad I don’t have to write one of these every week.

I would also like to clarify that my role in these services are not party oriented but faith focused and I believe that as spiritual leaders we are called to pray for and bless the leaders of our nation no matter what political position. Prayer is the most vital tool any person can use, and it is never to be used against others, to promote a position, or divide. Prayer is a divine gift that we use to seek relationship, blessing, and discern wise counsel from the God who is above all.  It should center us on Kingdom of God and not on a political agenda. It should unite us in love and reconciliation. It should give us new eyes and purge the talons of anger in our hearts and fill us with a peace that seeks the very face of God in our neighbor / and enemy.  I invite you to read these words and pray this prayer for yourself, your community, your state, and the leaders who have been elected.

 

Inaugural Invocation for Iowa

Governor Reynolds and Lt. Governor Gregg

January 18, 2019

Rev. Craig Ferguson

Johnston River of Life UMC

Holy and Almighty God,

In this moment we pause to give you glory. Creator, who put the stars in place and began the universe in motion. Redeemer, who in the expanse of time and history continues to heal and restore, making all things new. Sanctifier, who in the brokenness of creation sees beauty and draws all things toward perfection. God of many names, and all people, we ask humbly in this hour for a deeper understanding of our dependency upon you.

We confess that we often neglect the very gifts you have given us, at times we have elevated objects and agendas, policies and procedures above the people of your creation, and we have been blind to the image of God on the face of others. Where you have created the beauty of diversity, we have seen labels and objects of scorn. We confess our pride, selfishness, and even our tendency to judge rather than follow your example to be a servant of all. Forgive us oh Lord in our failures, for the sins of action or inaction that have cause harm to your people, and sustain us in mercy for the days ahead.

At this time, we acknowledge the blessings you have poured upon us;

As a people of Iowa, in a Nation of liberty, we have been blessed with opportunity and prosperity, with land and homes, with jobs, and commerce. We have been blessed with so much more than we can imagine. Lord, help us to not be blinded by the blessings you have provided, and instead see these blessings as great responsibilities, to be good stewards and bearers of blessings.  Bless us furthermore with the courage to act in wisdom, mercy, and justice. Bless us with humility and a gentle spirit to love our neighbor, welcome the stranger, and show mercy to the outcast.  We ask for an outpouring of your blessing upon all the people of Iowa, and for a unity that binds us together in love and service.

As a blessed people Iowa and “One Nation under God,” we accept our responsibility to oversee, love, and serve each other in your name.

Lord we pray for your special blessing and protection upon those in the armed forces who put their life on the line in order to secure the freedom that we enjoy. Bless the police and fire departments who serve and protect our homes and communities. Bless the local leaders, business’, farmers’, and families of Iowa.

We also pray for those whom we cannot see clearly, and we ask you to give us hearts of compassion. Almighty God bless the homeless, the depressed, the hospitalized, the oppressed, the incarcerated, the immigrant, the lonely, the addict, the hungry, the abandoned, the jobless, and especially lord, as you tell us to, we pray for those we fear, reject, label, or call our enemy. Help us to see all people as beloved and sacred, diverse and beautiful, created in your image.

As we come to a time such as this, a time of Holy anointing and calling of leaders, we invite your Holy presence to fill this place, come and lead us as the state of Iowa and place your blessing upon those who have been selected to lead.  Specifically, we pray for Governor Reynolds and Lt. Governor Gregg as they are sworn in to office. Fill them with your Divine wisdom, grant them discernment, anoint them for leadership, seal them with grace, mercy, justice, and compassion; and surround them with peace. We pray also for their families, hold them steadfast and protect them, uphold them in your mighty hand.  Through these leaders we ask for your abundant blessing upon this state and all people within; this year, and through their terms in office.

In your Holy and Mighty name, Amen.

Written by Rev. Craig Ferguson