Power to Serve: A Biblical Perspective on George H.W. Bush’s Inaugural Prayer and the Legacy of Servant Leadership

As I finish reading Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush by Jon Meacham, I’m struck by just how much we need more George H.W. Bushes today. Listening to this book on Audible during my morning walks around the Bush Complex at Texas A&M has given me a unique connection to the legacy of this incredible leader. There’s something about walking past the Bush School and Presidential Library that adds an almost cinematic dimension to reflecting on his life. I can almost hear his voice reminding us: “Use power to help people”—and maybe to remind us all that good manners and decency aren’t outdated relics.

What really stands out as I compare Bush’s legacy to today’s 2024 presidential campaign is the stark contrast between Bush’s servant leadership and the political climate we’re facing now. Today’s headlines are filled with rhetoric that screams, “Look at me!” Bush’s words quietly whisper, “Don’t look at me, look at how I can serve you.” It’s a refreshing message of humility and service, especially in a world where politics has become more about fighting for the microphone than fighting for the people.

But let’s return to that inaugural prayer for a moment—Bush’s direct line to the Almighty on January 20, 1989.

Bush’s Prayer: A Foundation for Servant Leadership

George H.W. Bush didn’t just step into the Oval Office with a swagger; he stepped in with a prayer on his lips. His inaugural prayer was a moment of humility and gratitude: “Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love.” With this, he set the tone for his presidency—not as a king reigning over a kingdom but as a servant leader, recognizing that power is only meaningful when used to lift others up.

Here is the full prayer that Bush delivered during his inauguration:

“Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love.

Accept our thanks for the peace that yields this day and the shared faith that makes its continuance likely.

Make us strong to do Your work, willing to heed and hear Your will, and write on our hearts these words: ‘Use power to help people.’

For we are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people.

Help us remember, Lord. Amen.” (Bush, 1989)

Bush’s prayer is deeply rooted in biblical wisdom. His plea, “There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people,” is practically a paraphrase of Jesus’ teachings in Mark 10:43-45, where Christ tells His disciples that greatness is found in service. If there were ever a Hall of Fame for humility, both Jesus and George H.W. Bush would be front and center, maybe with plaques that read, “Served others, did not serve self.”

Let’s face it: The world could use a lot more of this kind of leadership today. Bush’s reminder to use power for service is a timeless truth that we’d do well to remember in our own lives. Imagine a world where everyone, from the President to the person bagging groceries, approached their work with the mindset of serving others. That’s not just a utopia—it’s biblical Colossians 3:23.

Biblical Parallels to Bush’s Servant Leadership

Bush’s approach to leadership is not unlike some of our favorite characters from the Bible. Think about Nehemiah, for instance. Nehemiah didn’t go around boasting about his title as cupbearer to the king (which, by the way, was kind of a big deal). Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and led the effort to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. His heart wasn’t set on fame but on serving God and his people Nehemiah 1:4-11. Sounds a bit like someone we know from more recent history, doesn’t it?

Then there’s the apostle Paul, who traveled far and wide not to build a personal empire but to serve the growing Christian community. He’s the guy who said, “I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them” 1 Corinthians 9:19. Paul’s leadership style was about service first, echoing Bush’s sentiment that true power is about serving others.

You can’t help but see these biblical echoes in Bush’s leadership. Whether he was tackling the complexities of global politics or writing thoughtful letters to family and friends, he led with a heart to serve.

Quotes from Bush: Wisdom with a Wink

George H.W. Bush wasn’t just a man of prayer; he was a man of wisdom and wit. His ability to combine humor with insight made him all the more endearing. For example, during his campaign, Bush once said, “Please don’t ask me if I’m still alive. I’m still alive. I’ll tell you that. I’m alive and kicking!” That’s classic Bush—humble, self-deprecating, but always with a twinkle in his eye that said, “Don’t take yourself too seriously, but always take your responsibilities seriously.”

Bush also famously said, “I have opinions of my own—strong opinions—but I don’t always agree with them.” In a world where leaders seem determined never to admit fault, this kind of humility feels revolutionary. Bush understood that leadership isn’t about being infallible; it’s about being willing to listen, learn, and grow.

And let’s not forget his approach to diplomacy: “I do not like broccoli, and I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid, and my mother made me eat it. And I’m President of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli!” Who knew a simple declaration about vegetables could be so relatable? Yet, in typical Bush fashion, even his humor had an undertone of decisiveness and authenticity.

Personal Reflections: Servant Leadership in Today’s World

As I walk around the Bush Complex each morning, I can’t help but think about how much we need to return to this idea of servant leadership. Today’s political climate often feels more like a wrestling match than a public service arena. The debates aren’t about how to serve people; they’re about who can score the most points with their base. But what if we turned down the volume on the shouting matches and instead turned up the volume on listening, serving, and coming together?

The 2024 presidential campaign has been marked by a culture of discourse that often feels like open warfare. But Bush’s leadership reminds us that it doesn’t have to be this way. We can choose to lead with humility and a heart to serve, even when the world around us is more interested in division and conflict. We can choose to be the people who, like Bush, ask God to help us use our power to help others.

Imagine if we could bring back some of that “kinder, gentler” vision that Bush had for America. Imagine if we could put aside the hatred for those who hold different views and, instead, focus on serving one another. That’s not just a pipe dream; it’s the call of the Gospel Matthew 22:39.

Conclusion: A Call to Serve

George H.W. Bush’s inaugural prayer is more than just a memory—it’s a challenge to each of us. It’s a challenge to stop seeking power for ourselves and start seeking ways to serve others. In a world that often seems obsessed with division, Bush’s legacy reminds us that the true purpose of leadership is service.

So here’s the call to action: Let’s take a page out of Bush’s playbook and return to the biblical idea of servant leadership. Let’s be people who use our power—whether that’s in politics, business, or our everyday lives—to help others. Let’s choose to come together rather than tear each other apart. As Bush said, “Any definition of a successful life must include serving others” (Bush, 1997).

In a world that could use a little more kindness and a lot more service, let’s be the ones who lead the way.

References

• Bush, G. H. W. (1988, August 18). Acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention.
• Bush, G. H. W. (1989, January 20). Inaugural prayer.
• Bush, G. H. W. (1991, January 16). Address on the invasion of Iraq.
• Bush, G. H. W. (1997). All the best, George Bush: My life in letters and other writings. Scribner.
• Legacy Standard Bible. (2021). The Lockman Foundation.
• Meacham, J. (2015). Destiny and power: The American odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush. Random House.

For a deeper exploration of how a biblical worldview can guide us through the complexities of today’s political landscape, check out our blog series Navigating Today’s Challenges Through a Biblical Lens: A Comparison of Presidential Platforms here .