“An Opportunity in Washington , DC ”
Impressive! Imposing! Intimidating! Awesome & Awe-inspiring!
Never having been to Washington DC before, I didn't really know what to expect … but in almost every way it exceeded how I thought I might feel upon seeing all those monuments and places that I had only read about or seen in movies or on TV.
Upon coming home I called DC a “temple,” because it is a city dedicated to the glorifying of individuals and ideas -- but my experience in DC also comforted me with the understanding that, in theory at least , our government recognizes that there is an even higher power than the Constitution --- and that power is our God!
On Tuesday, June 12, 2007, I gave the Invocation to open the U.S. House of Representative's daily business. Here's how that process worked …
We started off in the office of our Congressman, Don Manzullo (R-Illinois). He's the one who nominated me and who worked with the office of the House Chaplain (a Catholic Priest from the Chicago area named Father Coughlin; it was his office who extended the official invitation and who arranged our parking on the Capital grounds).
As my family was escorted up to the Gallery (the balcony which surrounds the House on 3 sides), I was escorted (through 3 or 4 metal detectors and other security screenings) to the Speaker's Lobby (the room immediately behind the back wall of the House). There I was met by the chaplain and escorted on to the House Floor and told what the procedures would be.
When the Speaker pro-tem called the House to order by the pounding of the gavel, the first order of business is the offering of the Invocation. I was introduced, and then had one minute to say a prayer of no more than 150 words. For those of you who might be interested, the restrictions on what I might say were very minimal and in no way asked me to compromise or water down my faith.
But do you know where that prayer was given from? From the same lectern used by Presidents and world leaders to address joint sessions of Congress! [How cool is THAT?]
Only after that appeal to God did the Representatives acknowledge the power of the state through reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Prayer comes first. God before State. That is the tradition and practice of the House and the Senate -- and THAT , dare I say, is how it should be!
Our God MUST come first … for He WAS first!
Proverbs 29:26 says : “ Many seek an audience with a ruler , but it is from the LORD that man gets justice. It is good that our government recognizes this by its actions!
Of course, things aren't always as simple as that.
But:
It was a great privilege to be in DC that June day … to stand where presidents and kings have stood. It was strange , though, to be honored when nothing worth honoring had been done.
Like salvation, this opportunity was a GIFT -- and it was a joy to represent you when the gift was given.
It was also a privilege to stand before those people of such power and remind them of where their power and right-to-rule comes from -- not themselves, and not even the people. It comes from GOD -- and as such it is TO GOD that we turn every single day of our lives.
Before I went to Washington, there was one refrain that many in my family and congregation repeated: The plea to not cave in … to not weaken our faith … to not give in to political correctness -- but instead to confess clearly that our hope, our freedom, our justice comes only from our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope I did that. Many of you saw it, so you know for yourselves what I said.
For those of you who didn't see it, here is the prayer exactly as I delivered it….
A lmighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil act. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. Especially do we ask you to bless this House in all its doings this day. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in you fail. This I ask through your Son Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
This was truly a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, and I thank Congressman Don Manzullo for giving it to me!
Let me finish by telling you that the lesson of the House of Representatives is the same lesson of our own houses … GOD is the one who is in charge, not us.
All blessings ultimately come from Him, and if we exclude ourselves from Him we are excluding ourselves from the source of all good things. Nothing good comes without his saying, and no evil will befall us if that is what God wills. We may seek to be among earthly rulers, but let us recognize, as the writer of Proverbs says, “It is only from the Lord that man gets justice.”
Rev. Michael D. Pfingsten
The picture afterwards. From left: Rob Lunak, Michael A. Pfingsten, Father Coughlin, Diana Pfingsten, Pastor Pfingsten, Congressman Don Manzullo, Jonathan Pfingsten, Steven Pfingsten
