An interfaith prayer service will be held at Washington's National Cathedral on Saturday in conjunction with the 58th Presidential Inauguration.
"I am deeply honored and grateful to be participating in the National Prayer Service, and I am so pleased to be reading from Romans 5:1-5. The book of Romans also reminds us that there is no authority except from God. It tells us that those in authority are God's instruments for our good. And 1 Timothy 2 urges us to pray for those in 'high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way," said Dr. David Jeremiah, senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif., and is the founder and host of radio program Turning Point.
"As a pastor and as an American, I am humbled by the prospect of supporting the new administration in this sacred way and on behalf of the entire nation. The National Prayer service is among our most sacred traditions, as the eyes of the nation, the world and even heaven itself will be upon us. I ask that all those who love America will join me in praying that this will be a time of unity and celebration for our citizens, and a moment of reflection on the goodness, mercy and grace God has bestowed on our great country."
Jeremiah's radio program is heard on more than 2,200 radio stations daily, and he has written more than 50 books.
Dr. Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the largest and fastest growing churches in America, said there is truly no greater honor than to serve one's country on such a special occasion. "As a Baptist, I'm compelled by my faith to pray for the leaders of our nation and to ask God's blessing on them, for they cannot succeed outside His providence and without His guiding hand," he said.
"This is a time of change for America and the world. At moments it has felt as if so much hangs in the balance. Yet, I believe we can approach this new era of our nation's history with hope, for one thing hasn't changed - we remain 'One Nation Under God.' May we as a people lean upon the same faith in God that has given us purpose and strength for over two-and-a-half centuries."
Graham's PowerPoint Ministries broadcasts are available in 92 countries, and are heard daily in more than 740 cities. He has served as the Honorary Chairman of the 2015 National Day of Prayer and as President of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd, senior pastor of Cross Church and the Immediate Past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest protestant denomination, said he is humbled to be able to stand next to other leaders of faith to ask God's blessing, mercy, and guidance upon the nation and elected officials.
"We are living history, and America needs our prayers today more than ever," said Floyd, who serves on the board of directors of the Family Research Council.
"In the book of Jeremiah, God says, 'Call to Me, and I will answer.' Prayer is not a perfunctory and ceremonial exercise. Prayer is sacred and it is powerful, and it is critical at this moment in American history," said Floyd.
"May we as a country turn to God with all of hearts so that He may renew us and show us His way. I ask the Church in America to bow down in prayer for the future of our country and for God's wisdom, favor, and blessing upon this incoming administration. May we remain, as we have always been, 'one nation under God.'"
"I view this honor as a sacred responsibility. This service alone demonstrates that the United States remains a country 'under God' and a country that prioritizes prayer," said Greg Laurie, an evangelist and senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside and Irvine, Calif.
"President Abraham Lincoln once said, 'We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.'
"We must remember it is God who has blessed America. Though, we may at times have forgotten God, He has never forgotten us.
"We need to turn to God. The Bible says that if we humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and seek God's face that He will hear from heaven and He will heal our land. May this be a day when we turn with our whole hearts to Him at a moment when America needs God's protection and healing as ever before."
