Prayer delivered at the Inauguration of Gov. Mark Schweiker, October 5, 2001

Oh God, our creator and sustainer of all life.

I thank You for allowing me the opportunity to enter into Your holy and righteous presence. Thank You, God, for such a beautiful day, a day You have ordained, commissioned, blessed and appointed for remembrance and celebration.

As we reflect and remember those lives that were so brutally snatched from our midst on September 11^th, we ask Your blessings and Your peace, for indeed these are the times when men’s souls are being tried.

Evil has come upon us and is here. The enemy has ripped families apart, and shaken the very foundation of our blessed nation. But, they have not touched our faith or our hope.

I pray Your peace and comfort for the husbands and wives who weep for a loving spouse that they will never see again.

I pray for little children who wonder why mommy or daddy never came home from work.

I pray for mothers and fathers who are still looking each and every day for some sign that their sons or daughters may still be alive.

I pray for this nation and our world.

The enemy of evil has struck with terror and fear but our hope is in You, our comforter and our guide. Thank You for our strength for we are still strong, we are mighty, through You. Out of this tragedy has come unity and we stand together as soldiers in a mighty army, knowing through the power of prayer and love we will conquer hate.

So God, as our nation makes ready to do physical battle to protect this great country (if indeed it has to), i ask Your blessing upon the thousands of young men and women who are leaving their families and jobs and putting their lives on hold to protect us and the land that we love. Bless them, God, and cover them with Your wings of love.

Now, as we stand here today to witness a changing of the guard, a passing of the baton, a transferring of the state’s powers, I pray for a smooth and harmonious transition. Lt. Governor Mark Schweiker in just a few moments will become Governor Mark Schweiker. As he takes his oath, i pray that Your blessings will flow upon him, as they flowed upon King Solomon in the days of old. I pray that he may be filled with Your wisdom, Your knowledge and Your understanding. Keep him under Your wings of protection; cover him with Your love. Bless his family, his wife and children and all of those in his administration.

The Honorable Tom Ridge relinquishes his title as Governor today and he travels a new road with many challenges. Bless him with traveling mercy – be a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his pathway.

Bless this Commonwealth. May Your blessing of peace be with us all.

God bless America and the world.