Metropolitan Nicholas: ‘Grant to all here a deep and abiding respect for the task at hand’

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Detroit, delivered the invocation at the opening of the Democratic National Convention Tuesday. The following is his prayer:

Oh God, most pure and author of all creation, as you spoke to those of old, speak to our hearts anew. You who had fellowship with Abraham and Sarah, come and stay in our midst.

As you led your people through the wilderness, lead us now as the Democratic National Convention opens its deliberations for the benefit of the people in land of these United States. You have brought us here from every place on earth, that native Americans and the immigrant Americans, people of color and of every tongue might find not just hope, but a land which seeks life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Grant to all here a deep and abiding respect for the task at hand so that our common efforts will perfect our desire that law and government before, by and of the people assist us to set aside personal differences so that the unity of purpose that we have will rise above us all as an enduring symbol of freedom and let freedom so reign in our hearts that we would never fear to lead the oppressed to freedom, never fear to give shelter to the homeless and displaced, never fear to treat our neighbors as ourselves, to give dignity and opportunity as in Detroit and elsewhere in America, to the struggling unemployed and less fortunate brothers and sisters in this great land, let us never be afraid.

While our prayers and assistance are with those affected by Hurricane Isaac, we trust in you, oh Lord, that your gracious love will be with our President Barack Obama, with our Vice President Joe Biden, with all of our public officials and those who serve the good of this nation.

We ask also that you preserve and protect those who stand in harm’s way as they defend and serve for the benefit of all. Come and be with us, almighty god, as fortress and deliver, that through you and by the faithful and strong leadership of our government, we shall rejoice, knowing that our children and our children’s children will know peace and every blessing. To you the glory forever. Amen.