The Word: So help me God

“We know that America can never be great again if we turn our backs on you”

President-elect Donald Trump looks on the Rev. Franklin Graham, left, delivers an invocation during Trump’s inauguration ceremony Monday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Saul Loeb / AP Photo)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s inaugural festivities at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda featured the typical pomp and circumstance of such a historic event. The Word of God was also integrated into the entire ceremony. Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance made their oath to support and defend the Constitution with the solemn closing, “so help me God.”

The events of Jan. 20 also included invocations from Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York and the Rev. Franklin Graham of North Carolina. Dolan called on Americans to pray for Trump and his administration and asked God to guide the president to align his goals with the will of God

Graham followed Dolan with a prayer of gratitude for Trump’s life being spared after a 2024 assassination attempt. He also prayed that Vance would be a partner to Trump “like Aaron held up the arms of Moses in the midst of battle.” As Graham concluded, he referenced the nation’s dependence on God: “We know that America can never be great again if we turn our backs on you.”

Trump, during his speech, also made several references to God and faith. He drew a standing ovation from Republicans in the room when he said he was “saved by God to make America great again.”

Following Trump’s speech, three members of the clergy offered benediction prayers. Rabbi Ari Berman of New Jersey offered a prayer for the new president and opened with a reference to the prophet Jeremiah, who said, “Blessed is the one who trusts in God.” Berman’s prayer asked God to help Trump find “the strength and courage to choose the right and the good.”

Pastor Lorenzo Sewell focused on gratitude in his prayer and delivered the memorable opening line, “Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that you gave our 45th and now our 47th president a millimeter miracle.” Sewell also harkened to the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: “We pray that you use our president so that we will live in a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character.”

Father Frank Mann of the Diocese of Brooklyn offered the final prayer referencing “our shared hopes and dreams for our beloved nation” and called the inauguration a “pivotal moment in history.” He prayed that God’s “everlasting love and wisdom will envelop them and grant them the clarity of mind to navigate the challenges that lie ahead and the compassion to serve all citizens with fairness and integrity.” As he concluded his prayer, Mann said, “Americans kneel to God and to God alone, Amen.”