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Religion News Service asked several religious leaders what they would have prayed for if they had been asked to pray at Barack Obama's inauguration.

Posted below include responses from evangelicals, such as Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham; the Rev. Wilfred De Jesus, Chicago pastor and an adviser to Obama's campaign; the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; and the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners/Call to Renewal.

Some of the responses have been edited for length and clarity:

Author and speaker Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham.

"We bow before you as the one, true, living God.

In a world of confusion, you are the way. In a world of political correctness, you are the truth. In a world of death, you are eternal life.

Thank you for our freedom which has not come easily, and is even nowbeing defended by the courageous sacrifice of those willing to lay down their lives. May we never abuse it or take it for granted.

Protect us from enemies outside our borders and from the sinful influences that have torn down the barriers of safety around our hearts and minds.

Restore our families, schools, churches, and communities: that parents would step up as leaders; pastors would shepherd their flocks; teachers would impart wisdom with their instruction; and individuals would take responsibility for their own lives.

We ask that you would bless President Obama with wisdom to make decisions that are right; courage to stand against that which is wrong; innovative ideas to solve problems; heartfelt compassion to meet human needs; patience to respectfully work out differences; counselors who speak the truth; family members and friends who love, encourage and support him.

Give our new president a powerful, fresh encounter with yourself, so that on your behalf, he would exercise kindness, justice, and righteousness in this nation, and in the world.

Most of all, we pray that we would be reminded that ...

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