JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Senate and House of Representatives altered their agendas May 3 so that those members who wished could attend National Day of Prayer services in the Capitol Rotunda. Several dozen of them did.
Paul Meinsen, Missouri state director for Capitol Commission, welcomed those who attended the standing-room-only service and offered the opening prayer. Meinsen, who serves as chaplain for the General Assembly and their staffs, told attendees that legislators regularly pray not only for themselves but for each other.
The welcome was followed by the singing of the national anthem, led by Atchison County Sheriff Dennis Martin.
Special speaker for the event was Missouri Supreme Court Justice Zel Fischer, who listed five qualities needed by Christians in public service.
A member of First Baptist Church, Tarkio, Fischer said Christians should pray for their public servants to have salvation, wisdom, encouragement, strength, and humility.
“Salvation is eternal; legislation is temporal. The best prayer for any judge or legislator is that they come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior,” Fischer said.
He gave Scripture references to go with each item on the list, concluding with Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Rep. John McCaherty and Rep. Tommie Pierson, both pastors as well as legislators, led in prayer for the legislative branch of government.
Supreme Court Justice William Ray Price, Jr., prayed for the judicial branch; and Jeremiah Morgan, deputy solicitor general, prayed for the executive branch.
Law enforcement was represented by Major Dale Schmidt of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The military prayer was given by 2nd Lt. Jason Brawner of the Missouri National Guard.
Pastor Mark Kiekhaefer, pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church of Jefferson City, offered the closing prayer.
Preceding the indoor service, there was a time of music and worship outdoors at the State Capitol steps.
Among those attending the services were 50-75 motorcyclists with Road Riders for Jesus, an international motorcycle organization, with the majority of those in attendance from all over Missouri.