WASHINGTON— Faith leaders from many different religions — including a variety of Christians, a female rabbi, an imam, a Sikh activist and a Native American representative— prayed for the unity of the country and President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in a virtual prayer service broadcast from the Washington National Cathedral Jan. 21. 

“O God, whom we cannot love unless we love our neighbor, widen the boundaries of our hearts so that we may see you in one another,” said Rev. Robert W. Fisher, rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church (called “the president’s church”) near the White House and along the Black Lives Matter plaza. “Let us pray for the most vulnerable in our communities.”

While Biden is Catholic, the prayer service is part of an episcopal tradition that dates back to the first inauguration of President George Washington. Biden and Harris watched the virtual service from the state dining room in the White House.

The prayer service was also another effort by the presidential inaugural team to connect the Biden-Harris events to an online audience. The service began with a download of an elaborate 18-page program that contained the printed prayers of dozens of participants. 

Bishop William J. Barber II, President of Repairers of the Breach and Co-Chair of the Poor People's campaign, preached during the service from  Isaiah 58:6:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen…”

“We are in a jam today, trouble is real, and whether we like it or not, we are in this mess together as nation,” Barber said. “When this word came to Isaiah his people were also in a jam. Bad leadership, injustice and lies had led them into trouble and economic hardship.”

Barber prayed for Biden and Harris and then “every person Black and White, Latino, Asian and Jewish, Muslim, Christians, Hindu… every person created by God, gay, straight or trans, young or old” saying God called every person to repair divisions.

Daryl A. Hunt, Associate Director of Contemporary Music at the cathedral and Sylver Logan Sharp offered a musical prelude, recording artist Patty LaBelle performed opening hymns and the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, offered a welcome.

“O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family,” prayed the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean of the Washington National Cathedral. “Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred and hatred which infer our hearts break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love…”

The Rev. Jim Wallis, Founder and Ambassador of Sojourners in Washington D.C.,  prayed, “Strengthen the hearts of our president, Joseph, and our vice president, Kamala. Make them bold for the work you have set before them…”

Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beit Sinchat Torah, New York read from Deuteronomy 10:17-21. Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Senior Advisor of Engage NY and President of the Muslim Community Network in New York read from the Quran, 57:4-7.

Valerie Kaur, a Sikh activist from Los Angeles and author “See No Stranger” prayed for healthcare workers and other essential workers. “We give thanks for the selfless acts and personal sacrifices, even when overwhelmed and emotionally stretched beyond measure. Give them strength that they may continue their life-giving work with our lover and support by their side,” Kaur said.

Rev. Cynthia L. Hale, Senior Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church, in Decatur, Georgia echoed teaching from the Bible on caring for the most vulnerable in society. “Look with compassion upon the widow and orphans, outcasts and refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger, that may find you and be comforted,” she said. 

Senior contributor Hamil Harris is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland College Park and has been a lecturer at Morgan State University. Harris is minister at the Glenarden Church of Christ and a police chaplain. A longtime reporter at The Washington Post, Harris was on the team of Post reporters that published the series “Being a Black Man.” He also was the reporter on the video project that accompanied the series that won two Emmy Awards, the Casey Medal and the Peabody Award. In addition to writing for ReligionUnplugged, Harris contributes to outlets such as The Washington Post, USA Today, The Christian Chronicle and the Washington Informer.