|
Prayer
April 1, 2010
Pastor Bob Nienhuis
 
Prayer
April 1, 2010
I recently had the privilege of serving as “Minister of the Day” for the Indiana House of
Representatives.
At the appointed time, Bette Jo and I arrived at the State Capitol building in Indianapolis, where we were welcomed, given a brief overview of the day’s proceedings, and shown to our seats.
I then called Ed Soliday, a member of the House of Representatives and a member of Liberty Bible Church. Ed had graciously nominated me to serve as “Minister of the Day” and now came to give us an introduction to the House and to some of his colleagues.
When the gavel signaled the beginning of the session, everyone stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then I was introduced for the Invocation.
Here is what I prayed as the Indiana House of Representatives began their session on
February 16:
Gracious God and loving Heavenly Father,
We come to you today with gratitude for the evidence we see of your creative hand in this great state. We thank you for the beauty of the coastline in the north, for the vistas we see in the hills of the south, and for the rich and fertile soils of our mid-state region.
We are grateful, as well, for your blessing in the many and varied talented men and women who make this state their home. We give thanks for hard-working farmers and gifted
physicians, for talented businessmen and women and for skilled trades workers.
But today, our Father, we would pause to give thanks for the dedicated men and women who govern this great state. We pray for your blessing on the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the members of the Senate and especially the members of this chamber, the House of Representatives.
Gracious God, as the men and women of this Chamber attend to the matters at hand on this day, I ask that you will grant them wisdom for the decisions they must make, I ask that you grant them humility so that they will act for the good of all rather than their own benefit, and I ask that you will grant them a spirit of unity that crosses party lines as they work for the common good of all the citizens of Indiana.
Bless these men and women, Father, as they lead us in these challenging economic times, making decisions that impact every citizen, from the youngest child to the oldest adult. May they, in all they do, serve the common good, showing compassion and grace on those in need and guiding us all to a brighter future.
Your Word, O God, urges us “that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for . . . all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” So, Father, to that end we pray today. Bless and guide these men and women whom you have placed in these positions of authority over us, the citizens of Indiana, and may we live peaceful lives together, by your grace.
This we pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Cheerfully.
Pastor Bob
|
