New York, NY - Invited to offer the Invocation for the 4th Session of the 38th Republican National Convention, which preceded the nominations of President George W. Bush and Vice-President Richard Cheney, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America offered the following Prayer last evening at the Convention in New York City.

Prayer of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America at the Republican National Convention

September 1, 2004 -- New York, New York

Let us bow our heads in prayer.

Almighty and All-merciful Lord, we bow our heads in thanksgiving for the wealth of blessings seen and unseen that You have given us, the American people, through times of abundance and times of need, through times of war and times of peace. We thank you especially for the gifts of liberty and prosperity and for the call to be defenders and promoters of justice and freedom for all peoples.

Humbly we beseech You, Lord, to remember in kindness all our fellow Americans who in all times offered and continue to offer their lives in defense of this country and the sacred precepts of freedom, equality and justice upon which it is founded.

We also beseech you, O Lord, to bless the work of the delegates of this Republican Party Convention who have come together to carry forward our democratic institutions. Remember now your servants, President George W. Bush, and Vice-President Richard Cheney. Give them at all times the wisdom from above; the dedication to justice; the knowledge of the truth that sets us free; and above all the love, for this nation and for all people, both friend and foe alike.

Guide them to fulfill the duties of their office always in a way pleasing to You, for the good of our nation, for the peace and happiness of the world, and for the glory of Your Holy Name. For Yours alone is the dominion and the power and the glory forever. Amen.