One way of solemnizing presidential inaugurations is to invite clergy members to offer prayers. Samuel Provoost, the chaplain of the U.S. Senate, offered at prayer at George Washington’s first inauguration. The practice of prayers was renewed at Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second inauguration and has since become standard, with presidents often inviting multiple individuals to pray.
Personal prerogative, political experience drive selections
In a study that examined individuals invited to offer inaugural prayers from 1937 through 1977, Martin Jay Medhurst found that presidents typically chose them on the basis of “political experience”; “personal prerogative”; as a “philosophical demonstration,” particularly in deciding to invite individuals from different faith traditions; and according to “past practice,” as when inviting congressional chaplains (Medhurst 1980, 529).
Prayers have likened America to 'missionary nation,' 'chosen land'
Medhurst further noted that many of those who pray at inaugurations have drawn on “civil-religious myths” (1980, 546). These include the ideas that the American nation is “the mouthpiece of God,” “the missionary nation,” “the signpost, “the land of justice and equality,” “the chosen land,” “the redeemer nation,” “the servant of mankind,” “the land of the free,” “the faithful,” and “the peace-maker” (Medhurst 1980, 550-551; Vile 2022, 205).
Constitutionality of prayers at public events
Although the practice of adding the words “so help me God” to the presidential oath has been unsuccessfully challenged in court as a violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment, the issue of prayer at inaugurations does not appear to have been litigated.
Although the Supreme Court has, in cases like Engel v. Vitale (1962), invalidated public prayers in public schools, where audiences are there by state mandate and are more impressionable, the Supreme Court has, upheld prayers at other public functions, most notably in Town of Greece v. Galloway (2014).
Prayers have become less inclusive, pluralistic over time
In a time of political polarization, Steve Waldmon observed in 2009 that such prayers had become “less inclusive and pluralistic over time,” with more of them being delivered by Protestants and making direct reference to Christ.
At his first inauguration, President Dwight D. Eisenhower asked the audience to join him in a prayer that he had composed for the occasion. President George H. W. Bush did the same at his inauguration.
Paula White became the first woman to deliver a prayer at President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017.
John R. Vile is a political science professor and dean of the Honors College at Middle Tennessee State University.