WASHINGTON (RNS) — The insurrection that took place at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was many things — an assault on the seat of American democracy, a riot that threatened the lives of elected officials, a medieval-style brawl that left at least five dead and hundreds wounded.
But amid the chaos, Jan. 6 was also an outpouring of religious expression, especially in the form of prayer. Often it was the insurrectionists themselves who were spotted praying, many appealing to the Almighty as they waged their attack. But equally as prayerful were those they threatened — lawmakers and the chaplains who ministered to them, some of whom asked God for protection and safety. And then there were observers — pastors and others who voiced prayers of warning and lament for the violence they witnessed.
These are some of those prayers said in and around the Capitol that day, collected by Religion News Service from videos, public documents, interviews and news reports.
An interfaith group of religious leaders prays outside of Luther Place church on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. RNS photo by Jack Jenkins
On Jan. 6, the Rev. Karen Brau began the day around 9 a.m. outside a Lutheran church, huddling with a group of interfaith clergy as they stood around a Black Lives Matter sign. The sign was a replacement for one of several destroyed in the area a few weeks prior when Proud Boys marauded through the streets of Washington. The clergy had gathered on Jan. 6 to offer a counterprotest vigil against Trump supporters as they massed in D.C. Brau explained their collective efforts this way:
(We’re praying for) … our common faith in a God who loves the world, and all of what that means. We’re bearing witness today, because there is a lot of anxiety around this being a day where there is violence and perhaps destruction of spaces and places, and perhaps people will be harmed. We are here bearing witness of peace. So we’re praying. … Today happens to be Epiphany. So on Jan. 6, we’re mindful that this is a day we’re asking for the wisdom of the wise ones who found, by following a star, the Christ Child. And who are also being tricked by (King) Herod, to reveal the place of the child’s birth so Herod could go and give him praise — which was absolutely a lie. We’re also bearing witness that, for the Christian faith, some of these patterns of leaders who are despots continue.
In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, Pastor Paula White leads a prayer in Washington at a rally in support of President Donald Trump called the “Save America Rally.” (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Florida pastor and White House official Paula White opened the Trump rally at the White House Ellipse around 11 a.m., offering a prayer to attendees, which concluded with a plea for justice to be done:
… God, you said you honor your word and your name above all things. So as we hold you, in covenant with you, today, let justice be done. Let justice be done. Let justice be done. Let we the people have the assurance of a fair and a just election. Hear our cry and turn our hearts to you. God, I pray that you would turn the hearts of those who are in power and position to make decisions, to walk in your wisdom, and to do justly today — for the integrity of democracy. For our nation.
God, we ask right now, in conclusion, for your provision. For your protection. For your power. For an outpouring of your spirit like never before. I secure POTUS — I thank you for President Trump. I thank you that he has stood with Israel. He has stood with life. He has stood for righteousness. He has stood for the most vulnerable. He has stood to alleviate poverty. He has stood for religious freedom. He has stood for safety and protection. He has stood in a place, God, that few men could stand. He has walked in your ways. And as you have allowed me to have a relationship with him and his family for 20 years, right now, as his pastor I put a hedge of protection around him. I secure his purpose. I secure his destiny. I secure his life, God, and I thank you that he will walk in a holy boldness and a wisdom, God, and that you will go before him. You will be his rear guard, and you will go in front of him this day and every day, God. …
