Chairman Stewart, members of the Board, and fellow citizens.
As we prepare for prayer, we set our hearts and minds in a different way. We consider in the context of prayer the community of which we are a part.
I don’t know what you and others are hearing, but I think it’s fair to say that all people in our community are concerned about something: some about their own well-being, and many about the well-being of our community given the divisiveness that exists among us. Some people are confused, some righteously indignant, some are angry, as the Chairman recently experienced. Every day and every decision, no matter how great or small, is an opportunity to lead — to bring about unity while not losing sight of the richness of our diversity, and to be the courageous ones who take the first step toward peace and unity. I conclude my opening remarks with the words of President Lincoln at the close of his first inaugural address at the outset of the Civil War:
We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. [read full text]
Let us pray.
O God, you have brought us together to live in this community and work together for its greater good. We are black, white, and brown. We are sick and we are healthy. We are rich, poor, and middle class. We are creative and logical … industrious and lacking inspiration. We are introverts and extroverts. We are liberal and we are conservative. We are Republican and we are Democrat. Most importantly, you, O God, have called us your own. We ask that You would touch us with those “better angels of our nature.”
Today, we pray your blessings upon these, our elected leaders, and all who work with and support them. We pray for Your wisdom and guidance as they lead.
All of this we pray through Your Holy Name.
Amen
Epicurious Lutheran 