My Prayer to Open the Wisconsin State Senate

Last week I was honored with an invitation from Senator Van Wangaard (R-21st District)  to open the Wisconsin State Senate session in prayer, which I did yesterday. Below is the text of my prayer, and the link for viewing the Senate proceedings, including my prayer, is here (about a 1.5 minutes in).

God, our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer, we thank you for your gracious hand that works ceaselessly to bring about the preservation of truth, justice, and peace—all things that this room represents.

Today, God, we recall what Scripture says:

            Unless the LORD builds the house,

            those who build it labor in vain.

            Unless the LORD watches over the city,

            the watchman stays awake in vain.  (Psalm 127:1)

And you have also told us that to whom much has been given, much shall be required (Luke 12:48).

We look at our state and nation’s past and see that indeed we have been given much, and because you are a God who speaks the truth, we know also that much is required of us as champions of truth, justice, and peace.

So today, God, we ask that you would forgive us where we have failed to act in the interests of others and have instead chosen selfishly.

Lord, where we have lived faithfully and tasted success, would you grant us humility.

God, where we have scratched the surface of progress, would you encourage us and help us press forward.

To all those whom you have entrusted leadership today, give them a vision for what you desire our state and nation to become, and then, Father, the wisdom and fortitude to see it through.

I pray for the Senate, for the Assembly, who are tasked to look the greatest challenges we as human beings can face squarely in the eyes and do something about them.

As a state, we have not solved all the social problems of our time, such as racism, and drug sales, and drug use, and abuse, and violence. And this is because none of us is capable of solving the fundamental problems of sin: human greed, and pride, and selfishness. If we are to address such horrific problems, we need you to give us your insight, your compassion, and certainly your strength. 

And, God, would you begin with us. Start the process of uprooting greed and pride and selfishness within us.

God, today, remind us that you have shown us what is good because you have shown us yourself, in Holy Scripture and in the person of your Son. Having seen what is good, you have also shown us what is required of us:

To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.

For all of us, we pray that you would make from the great mash-up of personalities and opinions and experiences that we call the state of Wisconsin, a humble people, seeking your will for our lives and for our great state and nation.

Help us, in these halls, to work as never before to strengthen our families, to solidify a moral foundation for our children.

In other words, O God, make our desire to serve you, and as we serve you we trust that you will lead us in service to others.

All of this we pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.