Inauguration Day Prayer

[Orin’s wife Erin alerted him to the following:]

As we approach the Inauguration of our forty-fourth President of the United States, Barack Obama, we take a moment to say a prayer for him and for our country.  

The following prayer is from Bishop Edward K. Braxton, Bishop of the Diocese of Belleville: 

A Litany for the Inauguration Day of a New President
(typically V = person leading the prayer and R = the response – when praying this in private, please read both parts) 

V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Christ, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.
V. St. Thomas More, saint and martyr,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, patron of statesmen and political leaders,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, patron of justices, judges and magistrates,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, model of integrity and virtue in public and private life,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, servant of the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, model of holiness in the Sacrament of Marriage,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, teacher of your children in the Catholic faith,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, defender of the weak and the poor,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, promoter of human life and dignity,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, who believed that when statesmen govern without following their conscience, they lead their nation by a short road to chaos,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, who said none harm, did none harm, and thought none harm, 
R.  Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, who died the King’s true servant, but God’s first.
R.  Pray for us.
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.

Let us pray: O Lord our God, St. Thomas More, patron of statesmen, lived a life of prayer and penance, zeal for justice and integrity in his political service as Lord Chancellor of England.  He was guided by the light of the Gospel in his family life. This led him on the path of martyrdom and sainthood.  Guide President Barack H. Obama and Vice-President Joseph R. Biden so that they may be courageous and effective in leading and guiding the United States.  Inspire them to promote the dignity of every human person from conception to natural death.  Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus, who is Christ the Lord.
R. Amen.