National Park Service Prayer Display

I have previously posted the prayer used by President Eisenhower before his inaugural in this entry:

http://churchvstate.blogspot.com/2009/03/president-eisenhowers-1st-inaugural.html


I point out today that this prayer is currently on display at the National Park Service's website, here:

http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits/eise/President/Presidency/EISE8530_prayer2.html

This is a display maintained by the Federal Government using tax dollars, and it is quite "religious looking." It is typeset very much like old hand-created editions of the Bible. While such displays might raise the eyebrows of some today who throw around the phrase "separation of church and state," there is no denying that such things are indeed part of our history. In this case, it is a rather attractive display.

The text of that prayer is:

"Almighty God, as we stand here at this moment my future associates in the executive branch of government join me in beseeching that Thou will make full and complete our dedication to the service of the people in this throng, and their fellow citizens everywhere.

"Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race, or calling.

"May cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those who, under the concepts of our Constitution, hold to differing political faiths; so that all may work for the good of our beloved country and Thy glory. Amen."