Here's Where to Pray (Virtually) During Inauguration Week

As the Inauguration Day nears, one thing is clear: The U.S. needs as many prayers as possible. Here are places where you can pray virtually, both before and after new elected officials take office.

1. #PeaceWithJustice is hosting a non-partisan, ecumenical Christian prayer vigil on Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. EST. The service will “show that we are united in prayer for all of God’s children made in God’s own image, that we will love our neighbors as ourselves, and especially those who are different than us as Jesus commands, and that defending democracy for all Americans—no exceptions—is a religious obligation and a faith vocation,” their website reads.

2. The United Church of Christ is hosting Building Back Hope: a Service of Release and Renewal on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Beginning at 3:30 pm EST, the United Church of Christ and The People’s Inauguration will worship together. Presenters include: Valarie Kaur, author of See No Stranger; Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, senior pastor of Middle Collegiate Church; Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, minister and team leader for faith education, innovation and formation; and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of Trinity UCC-Chicago. More info here.

3. Poor People’s Campaign is hosting two services: a Prayer for Beloved Community in the Midst of COVID and Chaos on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST and a National Interfaith Service of Light, Love, and Leadership on Monday, Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. EST. “As Joseph R. Biden and Kamala D. Harris assume the offices of President and Vice-President of the country...we ask all persons of faith and moral conscience to pray for our new national leaders...” their Instagram post reads.

4. The Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is hosting an Inauguration Day Contemplative Virtual Prayer Vigil in four 30-minute segments to “pray for peace, justice, restoration, and for the people,” according to their website. Prayers will be at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. MST. Registration free, but required.

5. The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns is leading a virtual Catholic Prayer Service for the Inauguration on Sunday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. EST. Following the prayer service, starting Monday, Jan. 18, they invite everyone to continue praying for peace by individually reciting the Prayer of St. Francis daily at noon throughout the week of the Inauguration.

6. Christ Church Cathedral, Houston will gather to pray for “peace, reconciliation, and the fidelity of our nation to its founding ideals” on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 5:30 p.m. CST. The service will be livestreamed to Facebook and their website.

7. Washington National Cathedral is holding ecumenical, interfaith Prayers for Our Nation daily through Jan. 19 at 5 p.m. EST. Each session is around 10 minutes and will be streamed on their Facebook page.

8. The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont will hold two vigils, in addition to their twice daily Zoom prayer. On Sunday, Jan. 17 there will be a vigil including prayers and music at 1 p.m. EST; prayers will be said aloud via Zoom every hour afterward through 6 p.m. EST. “All are welcome to come and go as they like throughout the day, holding prayerful space for one another,” the website reads. On Wednesday, Jan. 20, the diocese will host a Zoom service of healing with prayers and music following the inauguration.

9. The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey is gathering on Tuesday, Jan. 19 for evening prayer at 5 p.m. EST and compline at 8 p.m. EST. They will hold a morning prayer at 7:30 a.m. EST on Jan. 20. All prayers are held via Zoom .

10. Three Methodist churches — Sugar River United Methodist Church, People's United Methodist Church, and Solomon Community Temple United Methodist Church — are joining together for a prayer vigil beginning at 11 a.m. on Jan. 19 through 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 20. Participants, who need not be a member of any of the three congregations, are asked to choose a 30-minute time slot and sign up to pray however they feel led.

11. Unite Our Nation is asking people of faith to commit to an hour of praying the rosary in an effort to “unite this country in prayer- 24/7,” the website reads.