JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri’s government leaders have expressed their appreciation for specific prayers offered on their behalf on Jan.4, the opening day of the 2012 General Assembly.
“It’s very easy to get our focus on the problems,” said Sen. Bob Dixon of Springfield adding, “It’s a lot easier to solve problems if we get our focus on the Solver.”
The event was held at Concord Baptist Church and sponsored by Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) Christian Life Commission, The Pathway, and the church.
This was the eighth year for the event. Attendance was somewhat higher than it was last year.
Rep. Charlie Denison of Springfield has attended all eight years and said he looks forward to it. He was there with about 10 members of an informal group of legislators who call themselves “The Apple Pie Caucus.”
The “caucus” was started about 12-14 years ago and is made up of Christian legislators “who gather together at a restaurant instead of a bar and share a lot of good conversations,” said Denison.
Another member of the “caucus,” Rep. Darrell Pollock of Lebanon, said the legislators have been attending the prayer service every year it’s been held and they look forward to it every year.
“It’s awesome how all of us congregate from across the state. The common thread is our faith,” he said. “We come because they want to honor the elected officials. We come because we know the Person we come to honor is the Lord.”
Rep. Linda Black of Bonne Terre said she finds the prayer service to be a great start to the General Assembly. “It’s a great place to set our priorities starting the legislative session,” she said.
Zel Fischer, a judge of the Missouri Supreme Court said, “I’m grateful and thankful for the prayers for the judiciary and the rest of the state leadership.”
Sen. Dixon, who served eight years in the House before moving to the Senate, said, “This has always meant a lot to me. It’s a very meaningful and effective way to start the legislative year off the right way.”
Gov. Jay Nixon was the recipient of prayer led by Bob Loggins, prayer and spiritual awakening specialist for the MBC. Loggins asked the governor and his staff to kneel, then asked the audience to join in kneeling at their pews as he prayed on the governor’s behalf.
Gov. Nixon later commented on the value of the service.
“As we look ahead to this new legislative session, I can tell you that the prayerful support of Missourians is not only something we want, but something we need,” he said.
“This service highlights how all of us need God’s guidance in making the decisions that affect our state, and I very much appreciate the prayers that are being lifted up.”
BARBARA SHOUN/contributing writer