Promoting Unity - Prayer for the Inauguration

No one will deny that the presidential election campaign of 2016 was one of the more contentious in recent history. The inauguration of our new president and vice president this Friday should be an occasion that promotes the unity of our people and strengthens our resolve for all to work together for the common good. We should mark the day by prayer. We might make the following prayer from the Roman Missal our own:

O God, who arrange all things according to a wonderful design, graciously receive the prayers we pour out to you for our country, that, through the wisdom of its leaders and the integrity of its citizens, harmony and justice may be assured and lasting prosperity come with peace through Christ our Lord.