JEFFERSON CITY – The second Show Me Your Glory Lord! prayer event March 14 at the State Capitol featured low numbers on a surprisingly snowy day but the same lofty goal personal repentance within the Bride of Christ.
It is a kingdom-oriented prayer time that legislators have requested in each of the last two years for the purpose of helping to create a climate in Missouris governmental seat of power where the budget can be balanced.
A head count of people attending this years event at the noon start was approximately 50. Last years event drew about 800.
Last year that governmental goal for a balanced budget was achieved in a bipartisan manner as a hole that amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars was closed. The hope of Republicans and Democrats alike this year, still facing a significant (but smaller) budget hole in Missouri in a blessedly improving state economy, is that it would again be closed by the sovereign hand of our Holy God.
Kerry Messer, president, Missouri Family Network, has been a key insider for two years with the Show Me Your Glory Lord! endeavor. He said that if the event continues for a third year it will be to the glory of God alone. Messer prayed the benediction, bringing the event to a close 21 minutes before the scheduled ending time.
Messer emphasized the need to remain true to the rallys foundation by rising above three things partisan politics, issues that can be divisive, and the preferring of any one denomination above another.
We dont want any shingles hanging over this, Messer said. We want one shingleJesus Christ alone. Tom Blackaby, international director, Blackaby Ministries International, delivered a message on the desperate need for repentance. He joined with Messer in calling for a greater level of trust within the denominations by faith alone.
There are elements in theology that we all agree on, and if we can also all agree on the direction and the purpose for coming together, then we can find the common ground to achieve that, Blackaby said.
A 40-day period of prayer and fasting has begun. Truth be told, a timeline that exceeds 40 days is being encouraged. The goal is to have a balanced state budget by May 6, the day when it is due. May 5 is another important datethe National Day of Prayer, which is being led by Sue Stoltz, Midwest national area leader for that event.
Praise and worship music on the front lawn of the Capitol, which took place last year in an uplifting fashion, was canceled due to a wet, heavy snow that blanketed the grounds and clung to the imposing statue of Thomas Jefferson.
ALLEN PALMERI/associate editor apalmeri@mobaptist.org