OUR LATEST ISSUE
Gene Robinson thanks God for Obama
Gene Robinson
Anglican communionââ¬â¢s only openly gay Bishop, Gene Robinson, gives thanks for Obama
"Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims."
Yesterday saw the Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson thank God for Barack Obama.
Robinson proudly led prayers at the start of the celebrations in the lead up to tomorrow’s official inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.
He welcomed the hundreds of thousands of people who attended the celebrations two days before Obama’s swearing-in.
During his prayer, he asked God for seven blessings, including the "the blessing of anger":
"Anger - at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of colour, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people."
He also asked that God look after the President-elect and his family, all of whom are "taking risks" for the world.
His prayer, which was called 'A Prayer for the Nation and Our Next President, Barack Obama', also read:
"And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.
Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln’s reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy’s ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King’s dream of a nation for ALL the people.
Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain in these times.
Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.
Make him colour-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.
Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims."
Despite the enormity of the opening service, which was held at the Lincoln Memorial, neither HBO's exclusive live broadcast, nor the Presidential Inauguration Committee's blog of the event included the invocation.
To read Gene Robinson’s prayer in full, click here.
