Bishop Martin Amos delivered the invocation at the Jan. 14 inauguration ceremony for Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds in Des Moines. Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB, of the Dubuque Archdiocese was to have given the invocation, but could not be present because of some health issues, Bishop Amos said. We share with readers the prayer Bishop Amos delivered:
Loving God as we gather together on this solemn, joyous occasion, we pray for your blessings on our new Governor, Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor, Kim Reynolds, and on all of the elected and non-elected officials who will labor to serve the people of Iowa.
“We pray for them the prayer of Solomon: “Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to govern your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” — 1 Kings, 3:9.
“We pray that the honor, opportunity and responsibility of their offices will place service above self, justice above advantage, and with compassion seek the common good for all.
“We pray for a state that continues to create the same kinds of opportunities for all who live here and come here that led our forbearers to this land between the rivers.
“We ask that God will favor these leaders with the strength and insight, the courage and endurance, for the tasks ahead. May we all work toward the common goal of making Iowa a place where, in the words of the psalmist: Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss. Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven. The Lord will surely grant abundance; our land will yield its increase. Prosperity will march before the Lord, and good fortune will follow behind. — Psalm 85.
“May God bless us all. Amen.”
In his inaugural address, Gov. Branstad issued a call to “service above self” and called for less government, increased transparency by the government, and lower taxes. The governor also said that Iowa is now in the “middle of the pack” in education, and he vowed to convene a summit on education. The governor is scheduled to deliver his budget message to the legislature Jan. 27.
