A Prayer for a Local Government

On Monday night, I offered the following invocation for the opening of the Centerville, Ohio city council meeting. It was a privilege to do so.

Father,
This is a night of new beginnings. For Mayor Brooks Compton and two members of this council, Mark Engert and Bil Serr, it marks the beginning of serving in new capacities.

It also brings closer a new beginning for Debbie James, as she prepares to retire from her service to the city of Centerville and start a new life in Indianapolis. We pray that You will guide her through the transitions before her.

On the mayor and all the members of the city council, new and incumbent, we pray blessings of wisdom, patience, the willingness to learn and to listen, and an openness to the paths you mark out for them.

We pray that through their decisions and their work, the people of Centerville will be well served, You will be glorified, and they will find the fulfillment found in jobs well done. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

In the New Testament book of 1 Timothy, written by the apostle Paul, we read:

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior...(1 Timothy 2:1-3)

The very first and most important piece of political activism in which all Christians are to engage is to pray for those in authority, whatever their party. If they can bring a "peaceful and quiet" environment, it creates the opportunity that Christians most seek: the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to make disciples.