President Donald Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence and the First and Second Families Attend Prayer Service at Washington National Cathedral

Praying for the presidency: Donald Trump and Melania Trump are in the front row at Washington National Cathedral as an interfaith service of prayer rounds off his inauguration

President Donald Trump is attending a national prayer service this morning with his family and Vice President Mike Pence.

The first and second families arrived at the Washington National Cathedral at 10:30 am to take part in the post-inauguration tradition.

It was the second time in two days that the Trumps and Pences had worshiped together.

Welcome: The congregation stood as President Trump and the First Lady walked down the aisle

Last to arrive: The President and the First Lady walked in hand in hand for the service

Picture time: Members of the congregation took photographs as President Trump and the First Lady walked down the aisle

Everyone wants a picture: A member of the cathedral’s clergy was among those taking photographs of the First Couple as they arrived for the service

First daughter: Ivanka Trump was hand in hand with her daughter Arabella, her eldest child with Jared Kushner, who is a senior adviser to his father-in-law. Security equipment was stowed under the seats they were passing

All hands: Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump’s husband and senior adviser to the president, held the couple’s younger son Theodore in his arms and Joseph by the hand

First family arrives: Vanessa Trump walked in with her eldest daughter Kai, followed by her husband Donald Trump Jr, then Ross Mechanic, boyfriend of Tiffany Trump. Behind them came Lara Trump and her husband Eric, the president’s second son

On their way to their seats: Vanessa and Donald Trump Jr brought their eldest daughter Kai, while Tiffany Trump was accompanied by her boyfriend Ross Mechanic

Stand for opening: Donald Trump, his wife Melania, and Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife Karen stood in the front row awaiting the opening hymn

Ready for prayer: The First Family and the Vice President and his wife stood waiting for the interfaith clergy to process down the aisle

Serious business: The First Lady wore a black belted coat for the service and walked in hand-in-hand with the President

On his way: The President and First Lady walked through the nave of the cathedral towards their seats

Family prayers: Ivanka Trump arrived holding her daughter Arabella by the hand, while her husband Jared Kushner carried their younger son Theodore in his arms and held Joseph’s hand

Ready for prayer: Ivanka Trump took Arabella to their seat on the opposite side of the cathedral for the service from the president and first lady’s seats while Joseph seemed to need some persuasion not to head towards the other side

Patriotism: The President led the congregation is standing to attention and singing the National Anthem

Star-spangled banner: President Trump glances to his right as the congregation sing the National Anthem

Ceremony: President Trump and his first lady turned as the procession of clergy, led by the National Cathedral Choir, passed them

Fist bump: The President greeted Baptist Rev. Ramiro Peña, a Hispanic Texas faither leader who supported his White House run, unconventionally – and Melania Trump was clearly delighted to see him too

Multi-faith: Archbishop Donald Wuerl, the Catholic cardinal-archbishop of Washington D.C. passes the president

Welcome: President Trump smiled at the interfaith clergy walking past him and the First Lady in procession, including Imam Mohamed Magid

Greeting: THe president and first lady smiled warmly at Jesse Singh, of the Sikh Associations of Baltimore

Thumbs up: The president turned to give his trademark gesture at the beginning of the service

Misty scene: Security was tight around National Cathedral in Washington before the Trumps arrived

They began their first day in office with a church service, too, at St. John’s, near the White House and the presidential guest house Trump spent his final night as president-elect in.

The national prayer service is an inauguration tradition that dates back to George Washington. Barack Obama’s national prayer services were held at the Washington National Cathedral after is the Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. It’s mission statement declares its dedication to ‘serving the country and its many faith traditions.’

Trump’s inaugural committee said today’s ‘interfaith ceremony will be in keeping with the uniting and uplifting inaugural events, demonstrating President-elect Trump’s commitment to be president for all Americans.’

Don Jr., his wife in a maroon coat, Jared Kushner and wife Ivanka, clad in a cranberry coat, entered first, taking their seats in the second row, the Kushner’s on the right and the Trumps on the left. Tiffany Trump was seated in the third row on the left, as well, wearing a baby blue coat with white trim.

The Pences came in next, Karen Pence in a black outfit with a large, light pink collar, and the vice president in a black suit and maroon striped tie, taking their seats in the front row.

President Trump also wore a black suit to the prayer service, as did First Lady Melania Trump. His tie was dark blue with small white stripes. Melania wore a belted black coat and her brunette hair down, after an up-do at Friday’s inauguration.

The president had a smile on his face as took his place in the front row beside his vice president. His expression became solemn soon after but returned to a smile as the congregation sang My Country, ‘Tis of Thee at the beginning of the service.

Attendee: Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani was there

After a welcome to the service, attendees, including Trump, sang the Star Spangled Banner, before the service moved on.

After a rendition of ‘How Great Thou Art’ Trump led attendees, sitting at the time, in a standing ovation.

In keeping with theme of inclusivity, Muslim religious leaders were also invited to speak at the service.

Todd Christopherson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Mormon church delivered a prayer on behalf of the new president.

‘Oh Lord God, our Heavenly Father, Who’s glory is in all the world. We commend this nation to Thy merciful care, that being guarded by Thy providence, we may dwell secure in Thy peace.

‘Grant to President Donald John Trump, president of the United States, and to all in Your authority Thy grace and favor, give them wisdom and strength to know and to do Thy will,’ he said.

‘Imbue with Thy heavenly gifts, fill them with the love and truth of righteousness, and make them every mindful of their calling to serve this people, in thy fear through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with Thee, one God, world without end.’

Sajid Tar, American Muslims for Trump founder, said a prayer for Trump, as well.

Presidential Inaugural Committee CEO Sara Armstrong said in a statement, ‘It is fitting that President-elect will begin his inauguration week with a salute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and end the week in prayerful reflection at the National Prayer Service.

President Trump ‘is humbled to pause and join with leaders from many different faith traditions represented in our country to ask His blessings for peace and prosperity for our country,’ Armstrong said.

The Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, is giving the welcome remarks and benediction.

Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Catholic archbishop of Washington, D.C. will say a prayer for the nation at the end of the ceremony.

Rev. Darrell Scott, a vice chair of Trump’s transition and the head of his National Diversity Coalition, will dismiss prayer service participants.

Dr. Alveda King, a niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, is among the religious leaders who were supposed to attend.

Moment of contemplation: The president pauses during the ceremony

Arrivals: Vice-president Mike Pence and his wife Karen arrived shortly before the President and the First Lady for the service

Chief aides: Among those in the congregation were (from left) senior counselor to the president Steve Bannon, Mike Flynn, his National Security Adviser, and Reince Preibus, his chief of staff

Awesome setting: The prayer service took place in Washington National Cathedral

Precautions: Snipers on the rooftop of the National Cathedral as the service proceeded

United in prayer: The prayer service brought together faiths including Christianity and Hinduism. Those pictured from left are: Bishop Harry Jackson, Hope Christian Church, Beltsville, Md., Priest Narayanachar L. Dialakote, Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Multi-faith service: Among the religions and denominations represented were Muslims, Sikhs, Episcopal, Baptist and Catholic Christians

Thanks: Melania Trump shakes hands with Alveda King, niece of the murdered Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr, while the President greeted Priest Narayanachar L. Dialakote

Thanks: The President shakes hands with Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Catholic archbishop of Washington D.C. as clergy process from the altar

Helping hand: The President was handed an order of service by his vice=president, Mike Pence

Saturday’s multi-faith church worship service followed a history-making day when Americans witnessed the world’s calmest transition of political might in Planet Earth’s most powerful city.

Less than an hour after delivering a 16-minute inaugural address, Trump went to work.

He signed a series of orders inside the U.S. Capitol, formally nominating the members of his cabinet.

And he rolled back an 11th-hour Obama administration rule that lowered home borrowers’ mortgage insurance costs.

The Federal Housing Authority uses that money to underwrite banks when low-income – and therefore high-risk – borrowers default on their loans.

Republicans argue that unless the FHA has significant cash reserves, all taxpayers including those with no stake in the housing market would be forced to pay for bailouts.

This happened in 2013, when the FHA required a $1.7 billion taxpayer cash infusion to keep going.

Back at the White House before a string of three inaugural balls, the new president inked formal commissions for a pair of retired Marine Corps general whom the U.S. Senate confirmed in their new cabinet roles.

Vice President Mike Pence swore them both in immediately.

Retired Gen. James Mattis is now the U.S. secretary of Defense. Retired Gen. John Kelly is secretary of Homeland Security.

Just as consequential were a pair of orders marking the Trump administration’s first firepower volley against Obamacare and signaling a massive, government-wide regulatory freeze.

The Obamacare executive order directs government departments and administrators to limit the cost of complying with the Affordable Care Act in every way possible, while preparing for a Republican-dominated Congress to repeal and replace the law.

The regulatory memo, in the form of a memorandum from White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, orders federal agencies to cancel new regulations that haven’t yet been officially published, and to delay for 60 days all those that are in place but haven’t yet taken effect.

It also orders bureaucrats to stop submitting most new regulations without first seeking White House approval.

Trump pledged during his campaign that he would pare back the American regulatory state in order to liberate the financial, energy and manufacturing sectors.

He also vowed to eliminate two federal regulations for every new one that takes effect.

ORDER OF SERVICE RELEASED BY THE WHITE HOUSE
At the National Prayer Service The Rt Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington, will give the welcome and benediction, The Rt Rev. James B. Magness, Bishop Suffragan for Federal Ministries of the Episcopal Church, will lead a call and response and give the blessing at the end of the service.

Very Rev. Randall Marshall Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral, will also lead a call and response.

Calls to prayer will be offered by Rev. Canon Rosemarie Duncan, Cantor Mikhail Manevich, and Imam Mohamed Magid.

Prayers for those who govern will be offered by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Priest Narayanachar L. Digalakote, Bishop Harry Jackson, and Mr. Carlyle Begay.

Prayers for those who serve will be offered by Dr. Jack Graham and Pastor Greg Laurie. Prayers for service of others will be offered by His Eminence Geron Archbishop Demetrios of America.

Prayers for the people will be offered by Mr. Jesse Singh, Mr. Ian McIlraith, and Mr. Anthony Vance.

Prayers for Peace will be offered by Mrs. Cissie Graham Lynch.

The Lord’s Prayer will be led by Rev. Ramiro Peña.

Readings will be offered by Dr. David Swanson, Dr. David Jeremiah, Rev. Ronnie Floyd, Rabbi Fred Raskind, and Mr. Sajid Tarar.

The service will conclude with a prayer for the nation delivered by His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, D.C. and a dismissal by Rev. Darrell Scott.

SOURCE: Daily Mail, Francesca Chambers and David Martosko