Tuesday, January 20, 2009

praying

I'm not very good at this praying thing, but I think I like my prayers to have more...well... oomph.

In a Catholicky kind of way, you understand.

While I commend Albert Mohler for his effort, I have to say that the American Protestant language is not to my taste.

Father, protect this president, we pray. We pray that you will surround this president and his family, along with all our leaders, with your protection and sustenance. May he be protected from evil acts and evil intentions, and may his family be protected from all evil and harm...


Err...yah. Whatever.

How about something more along the lines of

Prayer for the King, taken from the Roman Missal
We beseech thee, Almighty God: that thy servant Barack, their president, who by thy mercy hath received the government of that realm, may also obtain an increase of every virtue; that, being meetly adorned therewith, he may flee from sin and iniquity, and by thy grace may attain unto thee who art the way, the truth, and the life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.


or perhaps something not so warm and fuzzy...

Almighty and everlasting God, who doth raise up kings and overthrow tyrants, do thou in thy great mercy stir up the might of thy strong right arm; that reigning in virtue and justice, thy instrument Barack might be strengthened thereby or, falling into corruption and vice he might be cast down, never more to oppress thy holy people. Per Christum Dominum nostrum...



...made that one up.


Here's one by a real prelate:

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.


Feel free to add your own.

1 comment:

Dr. Adam DeVille said...

Following the pattern of the Psalms, I should pray for his evil designs to be thwarted, and his mind and advisers to all be confused and confounded when they come to do their death-dealing in the slaughter which is abortion. All other prayers are optional, but this one should not be.