Austin, Texas
Most Reverend Michael F. Olson, STD, MA
Bishop of Fort Worth
January 15, 2019
Lord our God, we stand together here in this legislature, mindful of your Providence and love for each human person whom you have created in your image and likeness. We call out to you in our awareness of the responsibility of governance entrusted to these men and women legislators by the People of Texas who in their hearts seek to belong to you and to each other in the order of your goodness.
We ask your blessing upon our representatives as they begin their legislative activity with a renewed sense of mission to preserve the dignity of their fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good. Grant them a spirit of docility and simplicity of heart. May they heed your prophet Isaiah’s call to reason together, intentionally aware of human sinfulness in the light of your mercy and justice and of the fundamental goodness of your creation of the human person. May they be mindful of the vulnerable in our society and equitable in their deliberation. Might their desire for authentic justice be strengthened that the laws that they vote to enact might reflect your wisdom and design for human flourishing.
We pray that you might guard their speech, that all that they say in these chambers might elevate discourse in reflection of your beauty, grandeur, and truth. Might they seek always those aspects of the common good that are immaterial and can be shared together without being diminished in quantity.
Expand their hearts with your love that they might truly desire the common good of all Texans united together and not simply the private interests of a few. We thank you, God, for their sacrifice and generosity to give of their time and talents in service to your people. Protect them and their families and reward their generosity with your generosity. We pray in the confidence of your love.
