Remarks of Welcome
On behalf of the Washington National Cathedral I would like to welcome you to this National Prayer Service. It is a special privilege to welcome President and Mrs. Obama, Vice President and Mrs. Biden, and many of the leaders of our government.
What I should really say to you is, “Welcome to YOUR Cathedral.” This Cathedral was built to be a spiritual home for the nation, and the service today is a clear embodiment of the kind of devoted service we seek to offer our country.
Forty years ago Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached his last Sunday sermon from the Canterbury pulpit of this Cathedral before going to Memphis, where he was assassinated. It is no small thing to welcome to this Cathedral not only our distinguished and gifted new president, but our first African American president. It is an honor and joy to be able to celebrate such a rhyming of important moments in our nation’s life.
Today marks the new administration’s first day on the job. We all know they have their work cut out for them. The best thing we can imagine doing is to pray with and for them. And so we come together as people of many different faiths and perspectives to pray for guidance and strength for the work ahead.
In Dr. King’s sermon he said, “Human progress comes through the tireless efforts ... of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God.”
This morning we are all co-workers, all of us here to pray with and for our leaders, and all of us here to dedicate ourselves to support them in the vital work ahead.
Once again, welcome.
The Very Rev. Samuel T. Lloyd III
Dean