Almighty God, we lift up our prayers to You with reverence and trust to guide us and strengthen us all in our calling to serve and protect the people of God. We praise You for blessing us with the gift of life, bestowing upon us all bounties of the world and challenging us to become Your good hands in our communities.
Today, we pray especially for the peace of the world and for all those who suffer as victims of injustice, war, and poverty. Almighty God, we know well that the Honorable members of this Senate have responded to Your call to bring their wisdom for the well-being of the State of California.
Today we pray especially for the victims of the first Genocide of the 20th century premeditated and executed by the Ottoman Turks in 1915. This year marks the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and we all feel in the depths of our hearts the pain and suffering of our forefathers who knowingly sacrificed their lives for their faith and freedom. The recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the State of California Senate encourages the Armenian community as we continue to pay homage to the memory of the victims. History should never be forgotten nor falsified. Those who repent are the ones who find peace in their hearts. Above all, the noble act gives us the spiritual strength as devoted citizens of this blessed country of the United States of America.
Prayer prevents us from expressing anger or hatred. On the contrary, prayer shields the life of humanity from committing crimes against humanity.
We are here today, with dual responsibilities to guard and cherish their God-given gifts and we are also here as citizens of the United States of America filled with the spirit of the founding fathers of this great nation to become exemplary leaders of our communities. This country has inspired us to cherish the true value of democracy and freedom as well as the universal respect for humanity as the reflection of God's love.
Almighty God, Bless this Senate with their members and their mission. Grant them divine wisdom and love to carry on their duties diligently, to uphold firm justice for the past and be the path of justice for all generations to come.─AMEN.