A Prayer for the Washington State Legislature

State capital building, Olympia, Washington

Lord of all nations,
God of our fathers,
Ancient of days
and Lord of all time.

We humble ourselves
acknowledging our need of divine discernment
and extraordinary wisdom.

Forgive us when we approach the tasks before us
as if they all depended on us.
Teach us by the example of those
who have modeled a lifestyle of
courage, conviction,
compassion and forgiveness.

Today, with millions of Americans,
we are remembering a confidant of presidents
who curried the favor of kings, queens and prime ministers
all the while conveying a message of love to common people
in an uncomplicated way.

May the best qualities that characterized The Reverend Billy Graham
call out the best in each of us.
May his integrity, honesty and conviction
be markers that distinguish our efforts.
May his simple faith serve as an example
of how to navigate the complexities
of an ever-changing planet
even as we admit our inadequacies
to create the kind of world of which we dream.

May we strive in our own faith communities
to become Billy-like in our purpose and passion.
Single minded.
Other focused.
Age-defying.
God honoring... just as we are.
Amen.

* This prayer was offered at the Washington State House of Representatives on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 while the body of Billy Graham was lying in honor beneath the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.