Rev. J. Genest of Middleboro (Evangelical)

Inspired by the Inauguration 2009 Sermons and Orations Project of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center, the Globe invited local clergy to e-mail the texts of inauguration-related sermons and prayers for posting here on the Articles of Faith religion blog. You can find all of the submissions by clicking on the Inauguration Sermons category in the blog’s right rail.

Remarks by the Rev. Jason D. Genest, pastor of First Baptist Church, an evangelical congregation in North Middleboro:

"Whether or not one agrees with the platform and ideology of those who are elected to the Presidency of the United States, the mere fact that the people are those to whom such a voting privilege is granted is to be celebrated among us all. The Office, itself, is most impressive and the fact that our voice and vote determines the outcome of the election is something that so many around the globe are left without.

Whether or not we voted for Barack Obama is neither here nor there at this point. Our responsibility is to pray for the man who will take Office and seek his best to lead this nation. We can only pray that he will first seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and be led accordingly.

No man, no matter how educated or experienced, can do anything on his own - except to master failure. Yet, by God's strength and the Holy Spirit's leading, great things can be accomplished, as long as those great things are to the honor and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We - as Evangelicals - must be the ones to lead the 'prayer pack.' We read in 2 Chronicles 7:14 both the call to prayer and the Promise of God to those who lift up their nation, "If My people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." If ever there is a moment that we need such healing, it is today!

The moral fibers that once defined this great country are decaying at a rapid pace. Whereas the Evangelicals were once at the forefront of life in America, so many would seek to silence our voice. Yet, God's voice cannot be silenced, neither can 'God be mocked' (Galatians 6:7). We have no choice but to rise up and become – again – the voice of morality in a world that has all but forgotten that word’s definition.

Our nation was founded upon the Word of God – that very Word that we continue to lift up in pulpits across this nation. We – as Evangelicals – must lead that effort, but only after we show ourselves as men and women who talk the talk and walk the walk. And, what better way to start than to pray for those who serve in these elected positions.

It is not a matter of whether or not we want to pray for the President and other leaders of government; we MUST pray for them. President Bush has assured us time and time again, that he felt the prayers of so many while in Office. We owe the same to our next President.

We know, as members of First Baptist Church in North Middleboro, that great and powerful things can happen when the people of God stand together in prayer and with a passion for seeing the Gospel Message advanced. Our history is grounded in this. Not only did Isaac Backus seek the Face of God and thereby plant an Evangelical church that would be a faithful witness over these 253 years, but his Christ-centered labors forever changed the landscape of this nation. Let us be the ones to carry his torch. Prayer is a powerful language that can make eternal impacts. The man who serves as our President is deserving of this."