Lord Jesus, we give you thanks and praise for this gathering of people here today. Thank you that we live in a place that recognizes our right to peacefully assembly, our right to worship freely, and that all men are created equal in your sight. Lord, it says in your Word, the Holy Bible, that “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”. Lord, we confess today that there are many ways in which our country has strayed far from the path of righteousness. Forgive us. Our sins are many. Forgive us Lord and lead us back to you, to our first love, to your heart. There are many who still desire to follow You and to see Your goodness in the land of the living.
In the ways we let our pride and stubbornness stand in the way of your progress, let us lay it down, and approach one another in humility, for it also says in Your Word, “Not by might, not by power, but by MY SPIRIT, says the Lord…” We recognize that in the many battles that face us as a state, a nation, and a world today- we do not wrestle with flesh and blood…it is not always the person across the aisle whom we are fighting with, but with powers and principalities that are unseen. Lord, where we are blind, open our eyes. Where we are deaf, open our ears…. To what YOU want us to see and what YOU want us to hear. Purify us. Lead us back to your heart, Lord. Let us lean not on our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge YOU and let YOU direct our paths.
In all of these things, we pray you would deal with us gently, Lord….have mercy on us. Lord, hear our cry as we ask for a relenting of mandates, as we cry out to you for integrity, transparency, and honesty in the health systems…. Systems that have taken a vow of “Do No Harm”…. But sometimes we are left wondering if some within the system have forgotten….and those who desire to speak out seem to be trampled and discarded. Lord, you know all the cogs and wheels and scenarios at play here.
Father, we cry out to you for integrity and transparency in our government, at every level. There is nothing hidden that shall not be made plain by you, oh Lord. Father, we pray for an exposure of what needs to be exposed, for those who wish to do right and speak truth to rise up-and bring even more of them, and protect them, protect their families. Father, let the brave voices who are daring to speak out and take action in every arena, those who are willing to stand up and say ENOUGH! THIS STOPS HERE! Let them be heard far and wide, let them be understood, and may they be protected by your mighty, mighty hand. And bring even more of them, Lord- employees, and employers from every industry, military, students and teachers, healthcare workers….. You know where they all are….bring them out in your right time.
Father, bring justice into the many areas where justice is lacking…. For those who have been injured, been forced out of their jobs, been sickened, and even died… Lord, we cry out for justice before your throne. Like the persistent widow, we come to you again and again. We ask for strategies, divine strategies by which we may pray and fight on the ground. Where it looks like darkness is encroaching- let us not be afraid but remember who is with us…You are strong when we are weak. As we draw near to you, Lord, show us the way forward in each arena you are leading us, as a group and individually. Let us seek your face and find grace to face each battle, to remain vigilant.
Bless each one here today, who has come, and who inevitably represents tens and even hundreds and thousands more who could not be here in this Capitol today. Let us hear what you are saying today, Lord, and each come away empowered to go forth in your love and might, standing firm on the solid rock of Christ. I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen.