I was at Oklahoma City Hall bright and early this morning to deliver the invocation for the City Council Meeting. Here is an approximate text of what I prayed:
Most Holy God, we bow our heads in praise and thanksgiving to You. We thank you for the blessings you give us each day. We thank you for the place your have put us--for the City of Oklahoma City--and for the blessings you have rained down upon our city. We thank you for new businesses that have relocated or open. We thank you for jobs that have been created. We thank you for buildings and homes that have been built. We thank you for the increasing level of prosperity that our city has received.
Yet at the same time, O God, we recognize that all have not shared in the blessing. While there are new jobs, there are still those that can't find work and those who must work two jobs just to make ends meet. While there are new homes, we recognize that there are those who have no place to call home, who live on the streets or in a shelter. While the city is more prosperous, we know that there are still those who struggle every day to make it. And while the city is more prosperous and we live in the greatest nation in the world, we are ashamed that there are children in our city who go to bed hungry. As these, you servants, O Lord, deliberate and do the business of the city, help them to hold these two contrasting realities in their hearts.
O God, you anoint those in leadership. When the people of Israel cried out for the king, you anointed first Saul and then David to be their king. I pray, O God, that you might send your Ruach/Holy Spirit to anoint these men and women once again--that they might feel your guidance and direction. As they deliberate, help them to remember that it isn't about their interests or the interests of a select few--but it is about "What is in the best interest for the people of Oklahoma City". Bless their decisions, that they might be within your will. That as decisions are made by those elected and carried out by the staff assigned to do that job, that our city might be made into a place of Shalom--of your peace. For it is in your glorious and mighty name we pray. Amen
After I finished praying, Willa Johnson (one of the city council persons), came out meet me. She said that my prayer was "The best prayer that she had ever heard"--I bet she says that to all the ministers who pray. (Ha, Ha!) I'm just pleased that someone, other than God, was actually listening. But who am I to say. Maybe everyone there was listening and praying along with me. That would be my hope.
As I drove around down town looking for the parking lot and then as I left, I was struck by the number of homeless who are shuffling around on the streets. And I am reminded that the forecast for Wednesday night through at least Friday calls for very cold night time temperatures. I call on you to pray for all those living on the streets, that they might be protected from the danger of subfreezing nights.
When I got to the Mayor's office, I asked his assistant how I was chosen. He said that they go through the Yellow Pages and select pastors from churches in different Wards and from different denominations. I said, "You through a dart at the map and see where it sticks." He said it isn't quite that random, but some what. They took a picture of me with the Mayor. I am supposed to get a signed copy in the mail. When it arrives, I will scan it and put it on the web site, so that you can relish in my celebrity status (Ha, Ha!) The Mayor said that he had been on Reid Mullin's show this morning and Reid had mentioned that I was going to be praying at the meeting. With all this publicity, I may have to hire an agent.
When the officials walked in, the lights came up--that's correct, TV lights. And then I looked up and saw that there was a camera looking down on the podium where I would be standing. If any of you were watching, I hope that you weren't blinded by the lights reflecting off of the top of my head. I don't know about you, but I don't really see myself as a TV evangelist. To do that, I think God would need to bless me with the miracle of new hair--and I don't really think it is going to happen.
Well, I have to get busy. The work of the kingdom never ceases.
Yours in Christ,
Jim
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