Obama Begins Day With National Prayer Service

Your Ad Here

On his first full day in office, President Obama is spending part of the morning at the Washington National Cathedral, placing his own stamp on the traditional National Prayer Service with a larger-than-usual group of interfaith religious leaders participating and newly written prayers meant to emphasize liberty and diversity.

The invitation-only service, which has followed presidential inaugurals in the United States on and off since George Washington's swearing-in, started just after 10 a.m. and was scheduled to run from 75 to 90 minutes.

Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, wearing a bold black-and-white patterned dress, walked into the stately church with Vice President Biden and his wife, Jill Biden. They took seats in the front row alongside Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Obama's nominee for secretary of state, and her husband, former president Bill Clinton.

So many members of Congress were scheduled to attend the service that a markup session scheduled for attorney general nominee Eric H Holder Jr. was postponed.

The list of 20 clergy participating in the service includes Rev. Samuel Lloyd, dean of the cathedral, which is the seat of the Episcopal Church in Washington; prominent Baptist pastor the Rev. Otis Moss Jr. (whose son is pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Obama's former church); Washington Catholic Archbishop Donald Wuerl; Rev. Jim Wallis of the progressive group Sojourners; and several well-known Jewish, Muslim and Greek Orthodox leaders.

The District-based Children of the Gospel Choir entertained the assembled dignitaries and guests by singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

The sermon was delivered by Rev. Sharon Watkins, president of the Protestant denomination Disciples of Christ in North America and the first woman to have such a prominent role in the post-inaugural prayer service.

Watkins quoted a wide range of religious leaders and traditions, from Gandhi to Islam to Cherokee Indians, urging the new president to remain focused on ethical and religious values such as common good, justice and compassion.

"In times such as these, we the people need you, the leaders of the nation, to be guided by the counsel that Isaiah gave so long ago," she said. "This is the Biblical way. It is also the American way."

Obama appeared to listen intently, his left index finger pressed to his face.

Other clergy recited simple, responsive spiritual readings that were crafted by Obama's faith advisers and cathedral staff.

The service included a traditional prayer for civil leaders, led by the Rev. Andy Stanley, senior pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga.; and a prayer for the nation.

CONTINUED...