Long ago, it was written: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established, what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? (Ps 8.3-4)
In matters great and small, we have been entrusted by the citizens of this great state to serve the public good, to care for those who have no voice, and to shape a more just and loving society:
Let us bow our heads and pray, Almighty and eternal God, maker of all that is seen and unseen. We pray you to care gently for these public servants as they embrace the responsibility to lead our Golden State. May they be courageous in principle, judicious in action, and may they guided by the desire to labor for the greater good. Help us live and work in a manner worthy of this trust.
Make manifest your love and care for all gathered here. Bless these public servants and all who ease the burden of their work. Bless all those whom they love and bless all who are less fortunate than we.
Inspire all who hear this prayer, Lord God, to act in the face of injustice, to share generously when confronted by need, to be the hands of your work and witnesses of your compassion. And help us to discern the course that will bring us lasting joy in our world of constant change.
So let this be our benediction: “May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds” (Phil 3.7), this day and always, now and forever.—AMEN.
