Congratulations, Mr. President . . . . 
. . . . We pledge you our prayers!
Two Black Men, One Holy Purpose
An Inaugural Prayer by Pastor/Poet Greg Asimakoupoulos
On Lincoln's steps a black man stood
and voiced a God-size dream.
With prophet-eyes he saw a day
that no one else had seen.
A day of true equality
where color doesn't count.
Where every person has a chance.
Where trust replaces doubt.
But tragically this one who dreamed
would not see it fulfilled.
Incarnate hate took aim at hope
and Martin's voice was stilled.
On Lincoln's steps a black man stands
declaring hope's alive.
The change of which another dreamed
has come and will survive.
He looks intently down the Mall
aware his time has come
to live the dream and lead the way
uniting us as one.
God, bless America
as You bless the new president
America inaugurates today.
As he pledges allegiance to Old Glory,
be glorified through his admission
that we are indeed one nation under You.
As he listens to Your servant Rick Warren
pray over the proceedings of this day,
help him hear Your heart
beating with concern
for righteousness, justice and compassion.
As he lays his hand upon Your Word
and takes an oath of faithfulness,
lay Your hand upon his life
and remind Him of Your promises to be faithful
to all who dare to honor You.
As he stands to address those
who look to him as Commander-in-Chief,
stand beside him and remind him
that he has been seated
in this place of honor and responsibility
by You alone.
As You bless Barack Hussein Obama
with a tangible sense of Your presence,
God, bless America. Amen.
--Copyright 2008 by Greg Asimakoupoulos, Mercer Island, Washington. Used by permission.
Pastor, Mercer Island Covenant Church, Mercer Island, WA.
Columnist for The Partial Observer (Rhymes and Reasons)
More poetry by the Pastor/Poet
Feature links:
Martin Luther King Day
"The Obama-Lincoln Parallel: A Closer Look" (CBS)
The Inauguration of President Barack Obama: A Christian Perspective
Lincoln Memorial National Memorial (US National Park Service)
The Abraham Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Lincoln Memorial - Wikipedia
Obama's Lincoln Memorial Concert
Presidential photo credit: Public Domain Clip Art
With thanks to Songs of Praise
for the music playing at Peggie's Place!
This original composition is entitled, "I Believe."
"'Twas the Night before Easter!" - popular parody at Peggie's Place! . . . More Easter resources