Daybreak Prayer at the Supreme Court

Christian leaders praying for the Court, at the Court on the National Day of Prayer, May 2nd, 2013

At Daybreak on the National Day of Prayer, May 2nd, 2013, several Christian leaders met on the steps of the Supreme Court to offer prayers for the Court and the nation. The liturgy for the morning was prepared by Rev. Rob Schenck the founder and president of Faith and Action in the Nation’s Capital. Participants included Rev. Rob Schenck, William J. Murray, Bishop George Gurley, Dr Manon Gurley, Pastor Dave Kistler, Betsy Kistler, Abe Silos, and Will Pryor.

William J. Murray, the chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition thanked Rev. Schenck for his many years of bringing the Gospel to Capitol Hill and particularly to those associated with the Supreme Court. “Although under heavy watch the annual assembly of Christian leaders to offer prayer for those who judge our nation is vitally important. There must always remain a remnant of the faithful to guide our nation to righteousness through prayer.”

The full liturgy of the prayers is below and can also be downloaded as a PDF here.

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Daybreak Prayer on the National Day of Prayer

Faith and Action in the Nation’s Capital

109 2^nd St, NE, Washington, DC 20002   202-546-8329

Opening:

A reading from Daniel, Chapter 4, verses 34-35:

“At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored Him who lives forever,

for His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and His kingdom endures from generation to generation;

all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’”

Lord, we pray always that reason will return to our elected and appointed officials and they, too, will praise and honor You; in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Prayer of the Court:

(Together) “God save the United States and this Honorable Court!”

#1 For our Nation:

Almighty God, who has given us this great land for our
heritage: We humbly ask You that we may always prove
ourselves a people mindful of Your favor and glad to do Your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend
our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes
brought here out of many kindreds and tongues.

Endue
with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in Your Name we entrust
the authority of government, that there may be justice and
peace at home, and that, through obedience to Your law, we
may show forth Your praise among the nations of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,
and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in You to fail;
all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



#2 For the President of the United States and all in Civil
Authority:



O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We
commend this nation to Your merciful care, that, being guided
by Your Providence, we may dwell secure in Your peace. Grant
to the President of the United States, the Governor of the 50
States and of the territories, and to all in authority, wisdom
and strength to know and to do Your will. Fill them with the
love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful
of their calling to serve the American people in Your fear; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit. Amen.

# 3 For the President by name:

“Lord God Almighty, on this National Day of Prayer we bring before you Barack Obama, President of the United States. Grant to him a desire to know You fully, a humility to acknowledge Your rulership over his life, and an appreciation for Your great gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Enlighten the understanding of our President that he might receive Your wisdom, respect Your laws, and faithfully execute Your will through his public office and in his personal life. Grant our President wisdom, knowledge, insight, and understanding, for they are more profitable than silver and gold; cause him to always and in every way trust ultimately and absolutely in You. Convict our President of sin and of righteousness and turn his heart and mind to You in repentance and in humble obedience. Provide for and protect our President and his family as they look to you alone as their Defender. We commit President Barack Obama into Your constant care and keeping, for we ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus; for just and true are Your ways, King of the Nations. Amen.”

#4 For the Congress:



O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and
gracious, and whose law is Truth: We ask You to guide
and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress
as they assemble across the street, that they may enact such laws as shall please You. We ask that You would, in Your mercy, cause the people of the United States to elect to the Congress those who will hear and obey Your moral will for our American civilization; to the glory of Your Name and the welfare of this nation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


#5 For the Leaders of Congress by name:

Holy God, we bring before Your throne the leaders of Congress:

Speaker of the House, John Boehner

Majority Leader, Eric Cantor

Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi

Majority Whip, Kevin McCarthy

Minority Whip, Steney Hoyer

We pray, also, dear Lord, for the leadership of the United States Senate:

President of the Senate, Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

President Pro-tempore, Patrick J. Leahy

Majority Leader, Harry Reid

Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell

Majority Whip, Richard J. Durbin

Minority Whip, John Cornyn

And, in a special way, we pray for the two leaders of the US Senate Judiciary Committee, charged with vetting nominees to this and other federal courts, Chairman Leahey and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley.

# 7 The leadership of the Congress:

We ask, O Lord, that You will inform the consciences of these leaders, imbue them with a desire to know and to obey Your will; Grant to them favor only as they do so. We ask these things in the Name of Christ, who always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. Amen.

#8 For Courts of Justice:



Almighty God, who sits in the eternal throne judging right: We
humbly ask You to guide the courts of justice and the
magistrates in all this land; and give to them the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of You alone;
through him who shall come to be our Judge, Your Son our
Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.


#9 For the leadership of the federal judiciary:

O God, Who judges the earth and inherits the nations: We lay before You in particular all of the judges, justices, magistrates, special masters, and others that serve on the federal bench. We bring before You
their clerks and administrators, marshals, and all those that assist in the conduct of the federal judiciary. We name specifically Judge Thomas F. Hogan, director of the Administrative Office and secretary to the Judicial Conference of the United States.

#10 Specific Prayer for the Justices of the Supreme Court:

Lord, we bring before you now the nine justices of this court:

Chief Justice of the United States, John G. Roberts, Jr.

Justice Antonin Scalia

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy

Justice Clarence Thomas

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Justice Stephen G. Breyer

Justice Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Justice Elena Kagan

#11 For the Direction of the Court:

We ask, O Lord, that You would draw the Justices close to Yourself; guide them in the way of salvation, holiness, and righteousness. Cause them to do what is just under the Constitution of the United States and in conformity with Your ways that constitute the Highest Law of all. We ask in the Name of the One our Founders called the Supreme Judge of the World, Jesus Christ, Who reigns from Your right hand forever and ever. Amen.

#12 For Sound Government:



O Lord our Governor, direct the leaders of our land, that we
may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to
other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
May the President and members of the Cabinet, Governors
of States, Mayors of Cities, and all in administrative
authority, learn to fear and obey You. As they do, grant to them wisdom and grace in the exercise of their
duties. We ask these things through Christ the Lord. Amen.

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Descend to the sidewalk and kneel

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.
 Thy Kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.


Give us this day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our trespasses,


As we forgive them that trespass against us. 


And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 


For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

Forever and ever. Amen.

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(Standing) The Pledge of Allegiance—stressing “under God.”

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

END SERVICE