Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today and for the opportunity to ask Your blessing upon the Ohio House of Representatives.
Lord, these men and women face an enormous responsibility in this House. They are tasked with representing the interests and needs of their districts and of the entire State of Ohio. They are challenged to stand for what is good, right, and needful in the face of opposition, pressure, confusion, and misunderstandings. They are responsible for navigating between conflicting opinions and selfish interests while balancing the concerns of their constituents with the needs of their communities.
For this reason, Lord, we ask your blessing upon them. We ask that you bless them and guide them in their work. We ask that you grant them wisdom and direction. We ask that you help them to see and understand what they need to do as your servants and then to give them courage, strength, and conviction to carry out the work for which You have brought them here to do.
And we know that You have brought them here, Lord. Your Word tells us in Romans that these men and women are your ministers; that they are ministers of God to us for good. In fact, in Psalm 82 You said that they are here to defend the poor and fatherless, to do justice to the afflicted and needy, and to deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. Help them, Lord, to keep these things in mind as they carry out Your work.
We also ask your blessing upon the staff members that help our Representatives. Without them, the work of this House would overwhelm even the best of the men and women here.
And, we ask your blessing upon those who work so hard to keep this House safe, clean, comfortable, and open for the People's business. Without them, the work of this House would quickly grind to a halt.
Lord, we thank you for your blessings. We thank you for the privilege to engage in your service. Help us to be worthy of both and may You always continue to bless the Ohio House of Representatives and the great State of Ohio.
We ask these things in Jesus' Name,
Amen