The question was posed by the Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, Most Rev Michael B Curry who said the recent election was "contentious", with Episcopalians of all political backgrounds holding "deep feelings."
Writing the week before an Inaugural Prayer Service for the Republican at the Washington National Cathedral next Saturday, Bishop Michael responded to his own with the answer:
"Yes! We can and, indeed, I believe we must pray for all who lead in our civic order, nationally and internationally. I pray for the President in part because Jesus Christ is my Saviour and Lord.
"If Jesus is my Lord and the model and guide for my life, his way must be my way, however difficult. And the way prayer for others is a part of how I follow the way of Jesus."
Bishop Curry wrote the principal of praying for our leaders runs "deep" in Biblical traditions, referring to 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 where Paul writes: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
He also said: "When we pray for Donald, Barack, George, Bill, George, or Jimmy, Presidents of the United States, we pray for their well-being, for they too are children of God, but we also pray for their leadership in our society and world."
Bishop Curry also spoke about his upbringing in a historically black congregation within the Episcopal Church but members prayed for leaders he described as "lukewarm or even opposed to our very civil rights."
He went on to say: "We got on our knees in church and prayed for them, and then we got up off our knees and we Marched on Washington."
Bishop Curry also admitted there had been "some controversy about the appropriateness" of holding an Inaugural Prayer Service on 21st January at Washington National Cathedral and, he added, "church choirs singing at inaugural events".