JEFFERSON CITY—Missourians are being encouraged to come to the State Capitol for a noon prayer service March 14 inside the Rotunda to pray for a balanced state budget.
Last year a similar call to pray resulted in a crowd of at least 800 people,with lawmakers facing a gap of hundreds of millions of dollars in the Missouri budget. Amazingly, it was accomplished eight days early.
In keeping with the pattern, a call to fast and pray lasting at least 40 days is going out, this time extending to May 6, the day that the budget is due. The March 14 meeting is for citizens to prayer walk (officially that starts at 9 a.m.), show their support, and let their legislators know that they are supporting them by calling on God for His help in balancing the budget. There will be praise and worship on the front lawn of the Capitol, and the noon service is expected to last 90 minutes.
“There are a few states this year that are not handling the budget well and their states are in turmoil,” said Sue Stoltz, Midwest National Area Leader for National Day of Prayer and Mid-Missouri Manager for Bott Radio Network. “Missouri is making the right decision in asking the Lord for help and asking for Christians to mobilize prayer for them.”
Stoltz said it is important to note that both last year and this year, lawmakers asked for Christians to come to the State Capitol and pray. Many commented last year that they felt the presence of the Lord in the building.
“I’ve been praying and I knew people were praying,” said Sen. Pro Tem Rob Mayer, R-Dexter and a deacon at First Baptist Church, Dexter, while reflecting on last year’s event.
“God is always faithful. I don’t know why we doubt Him. If you know that you’re within His will, and you’re doing things that He wants you to do, He’s going to empower you and give you the resources and place people in your life to get that goal accomplished.”
Communities are being encouraged to have special services and prayer gatherings during the 40 days of fasting and prayer for their elected officials during the budget process.
ALLEN PALMERI/associate editor
apalmeri@mobaptist.org