Heavenly Father, we thank You for the blessing of this day as we join the honorable members of the California State Senate for this annual tribute to the one and a half million Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. We take this opportunity to convey our gratitude to Senator Anthony Portantino for introducing landmark legislation urging Turkey to restore properties belonging to the Armenian Church and people. In these turbulent times especially, when we witness unrest in many parts of the world, and witness with our own eyes the horrors of ongoing religious and ethnic persecution, we pray for the conversion of hearts from hatred to love, brotherhood, and peace. And for the day when all peoples of all faiths and ethnicities can coexist in harmony and mutual respect and tolerance for one another’s beliefs and background, as we do here in this great nation we are proud to call home.
Though over a century has passed since the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Government, a crime against humanity today largely unrecognized and unpunished, we place our faith, trust, and hope in You, Lord, that we will soon prevail in our righteous cause of raising awareness of this and all genocides, so that we can finally see justice for all victims and an end to the destructive cycle of genocide which continues to plague humanity. Indeed, no matter how much time elapses, we will persist in our noble cause with the united efforts, support, and solidarity of friends like our elected officials here today for which we are eternally grateful.
Lord, may You continue to bless and guide our esteemed legislators as the faithfully serve with honesty and integrity for the best interests for our beloved State of California and all of its residents. May Your blessings, peace, and protection be upon the leadership, armed forces, and citizenry of the United States and all peace loving nations. Today, as we pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, remember all those who have undergone a similar fate, praying for the rest of their souls in heaven. We humbly bow before You in praise and gratitude for Your love, mercy, and Your abundant gifts.—AMEN.