Nationwide — Donald Trump reportedly told Rev. Lorenzo Sewell, senior pastor at 180 Church, “I want you to pray at the inauguration.” And so, he will deliver the benediction after Trump is sworn in. A benediction is a short invocation for divine help, blessing, and guidance that is traditionally delivered towards the conclusion of the ceremony. This practice has been a part of the inauguration proceedings since 1937.
During an interview on CNN, Rev. Sewell said, “Our 47th President needs our prayers. He needs our intercessions. He needs us as a nation to be one nation under God.”
He was born and raised in Detroit and reportedly grew up in a physically and verbally abusive home. High school was a challenge emotionally with his father going to prison and his younger brother being killed. As a result, Lorenzo became heavily involved in drugs and drug dealing, ultimately becoming a gang leader. Later, in 1999, he says that he had an “encounter with God” and has been a religious man ever since.
He is not the first African American pastor to deliver the benediction at a presidential inauguration.
In 2009, Rev. Joseph Lowery delivered the benediction for President Barack Obama’s first inauguration. Also, in 2021, Rev. Barry Black, the first African American Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, delivered the closing prayer at President Joe Biden’s inauguration.