The morning of Friday, May 24, 2013, I had the honor of introducing Pastor Dr. David Dykes as the Texas House of Representatives Pastor of the Day. He led the House in prayer before a day of difficult discussion and policy decisions. Thank you, Bro. David, for these timely words.
“Our Father, who is in heaven, we declare that your name is forever holy. Thank you for giving us life and breath today, because it is in you that we live and move and have our being. We pause today to ask you to continue to give strength and mercy to the victims of the explosion in West, the tornadoes in Granbury, and for those devastated families in Moore, Oklahoma. Thank you for allowing us to live in the United States of America, and especially, thank you for allowing us to live in the great State of Texas. We praise you because you are the Author of Liberty. Your Word says: A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand; you direct it wherever you choose. All a man’s ways seem right to him, but, you, O Lord, evaluate the motives of the heart. You tell us that doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:1-3)
“Today, I ask you to bless these leaders, your elected representatives. I pray for them the same request that King Solomon made: ‘Give your servants discerning hearts to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’ Give them courage to do what is right, even when it isn’t expedient. Give them grace to speak the truth in love, even when it isn’t politically correct. Give them strength to conduct themselves with dignity, even when they’re tempted to argue. Give them patience to endure the legislative process, even when the discussion seems tedious. Give them diligence to work hard, even when the reward can’t be seen. You have told us ‘blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.’ May this ever be true for our country and for our state. And Father, I close this prayer with the same words that the father of our nation, George Washington, used in his prayers: ‘These petitions I humbly implore thee to accept and answer for the sake of Thy Dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Amen.”
