Praying for the President

Michael Gerson began his June 3, 2019, Washington Post column, "Franklin Graham has played his ultimate Trump card," by telling us, 

'I pray for President Trump at least once a week. “Grant to the president of the United States,” says the Book of Common Prayer, “and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will.”*

Granted this was the only lead-in, and the bulk of the column was about something really quite different from this prayer, but by the end of the piece, we come back to that same need.

Praying for the nation and the head of state has been part of Anglican tradition since the first English prayer book; American Episcopalians have been praying for the President since 1776, when the Rector of Christ Church Philadelphia got out his prayer book and where his prayer book said "king" he pencilled in "president."

That said, it is not always an easy prayer to say -- often those prayers are offered bemusedly or begrudgingly, with glad affection or through clenched teeth.

But perhaps when we least feel like saying them is when we need those prayers the most. For his sake, for the country's sake, and for our own.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/franklin-graham-has-played-his-ultimate-trump-card/2019/06/03/22a50b18-862b-11e9-98c1-e945ae5db8fb_story.html

 
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*That's from the 1928 BCP. In the 1979 prayerbook, Rite II, Prayers of the People Form I, says,

For our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in
authority, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

(BCP, 483)

Other forms have more inclusive intentions, such as

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations
of the world;

That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

(Form III, 387)

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the
ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another
and serve the common good.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

(Form IV, 388) 


Rite I has 

We beseech thee also so to rule the hearts of those who bear
the authority of government in this and every land [especially
                     ], that they may be led to wise decisions and right
actions for the welfare and peace of the world.

(BCP, 329)