Lord, we come before You today to thank You.
To thank You for the social, political and economic progress we have made as a state and as a nation.
To remind us of the great work still before us to expand that progress to the furthest horizons on Earth.
To thank You for the blessings of liberty.
To thank You for the blessings of equality.
To thank You for the birth, the life and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today, as we honor Dr. King, on what would have been his 86th birthday, let us take note of the divine example set by him for dedication, persistence, and commitment to nonviolent protest and social justice. Father we ask that the spirit of Dr. King live deep within the hearts of the people of this Chamber, of this great state and this great nation. Let his examples reflect in our actions and the actions of those throughout our land. Lord, grant us a renewed commitment to nonviolence as taught by Dr. King, by the Prophet Mohammed, by the Buddha, and by Christ himself. During times of social tension, when the problems of the world are gigantic in extent and chaotic in detail, be with us in our goings and comings, in our rising up and in our lying down, in our moments of joy, and in our moments of sorrow.
The dreams of this Nation and this world must go forth.
The dream must go forth until equality is achieved throughout our land like the rising and the setting of the sun.
The dream must go forth until the sons and daughters of this nation realize that we can and we will overcome obstacles of social injustice and inequality.
The dream must go forth until all men, women, the aged, and the youth of different cultures, creeds, ethnicities, and backgrounds can come together on one accord with the greatest commandment of all: At heart, love ye one another.
Lord, we stand here today and plead for Your mercy. We call upon You to fill our hearts with love and compassion. We ask for Your blessing that the dream of Dr. King, that the dream of this state, and the dream of this nation be realized.
These blessings we ask in Your name.-AMEN.