PA Senate

Published by Rev. Joan on

It was a wonderful experience, delivering the prayer for the PA Senate.  I felt like a VIP, for sure.  Special elevators, seat, parking space,  and a general feeling of respectfulness.

Most importantly Senator Don White was cordial and seemed genuinely impressed with my “prayer.”  After my delivery, he made a point to come out and speak with me.  He said, “that was beautiful.  Just what we needed to hear.”  He acknowledged that he doesn’t often get clergy from Indiana to make the drive to Harrisburg for a short prayer for the Senate.

For me, it is important not only to promote First UU Church of Indiana, PA but also to spread the “good news” of Unitarian Universalism in our world.  That is why I took on this responsibility.

Here is the prayer I delivered:

Let us be together in prayer –
Infinite and ultimate mystery — You who are called by the citizens of Pennsylvania by many names, You who from ancient times has joined us in agreements like covenant, compact, and constitution, as the means by which we may co-create a human, educated, and prosperous society, we give You thanks for the blessings of our lives and ask that You continue to bless us.

As this body begins another legislative session may You help these leaders remember that they are joined with the past and the future by all who serve in these chambers and by all of the people who reside in this great commonwealth who have placed with them a solemn and reverent trust.

May each of us assembled here, as we work in whatever ways we are called in this world:
Remember to use our eyes that we may not be blind to what is going on about us.
To use our ears that we may not be deaf to those who ask for our help or offer to teach us.
May we use our minds, that we might understand what we see and hear and use this understanding to improve this world.
And May we use our hearts that we may not falter to choose the best for the good of the whole and not be swayed by selfish aims.

Oh Thou who made us one nation out of many people, amidst our diversities of race, tradition and faith, unite us once again in a common cause of goodness.

On this new day, accept us anew, as we join again with the calls to stewardship, justice, righteousness and love.

So May It Be.
AMEN.