Praying At The State Capitol

It is customary for the West Virginia House of Delegates to open each session in prayer. I had the honor of offering the invocation at the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Charleston on Tuesday, February 21st. That also happened to be the day that Home Schoolers from across the Mountain State came out for a large rally on the Capitol steps.

Some of our readers have shown interest in the content of the prayer I offered that day, so I thought I would share it with you. The text follows:

"Father in Heaven, it is truly my honor and privilege to stand in this hallowed chamber, where my grandfather served more than six decades ago, and to offer up prayer on behalf of today’s session of this House.

We thank you, Lord, for the men and women in this chamber, who have come from across the Mountain State, from Shepherdstown to Kenova, and from Chester to Bluefield, elected to represent the citizens of their home districts. We ask that you would bless them in their deliberations here this day. We thank you for our form of Civil Government authority for your Word tells us that “ there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

As they come together today for their duties in forming the laws of this great state, may they all remember that the basis of all law in western culture springs from your Decalogue, given to man, centuries ago at Mt. Sinai. Help these delegates feel the weight of the awesome responsibility invested in them, and may we be reminded this day of the words spoken of old by the great King David, who told his son, Solomon, “'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.'

May we be reminded again of the words of the Great Teacher, “but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—“

We ask that you give these, your servants, wisdom to do what is right… that they would always protect those who are the weakest and most helpless among us (from the unborn to the advanced in age) … that they would be good stewards of our natural resources, and protect our religious liberties ... that these delegates would lay aside partisan bitterness… that they would flee from any self interest and influence of special interests… and simply do the people’s business, representing the citizens of this state in a manner that will be just, and will bring honor unto you.

May we lay aside for this time of business, the labels that divide us – Republicans and Democrats, Conservatives, and Liberals – and while in session, remember that we are first and foremost, West Virginians, and Americans, all.

We thank you for your Grace and Mercy toward all men, and the liberty that comes only from you. We beg your blessings this and every day, ask all of these favors today in the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord. Amen."