Our God and God of all people, we turn to You, the Holy One, who has implanted in the human heart the will, the obligation and the urgency to make a difference. Grant these elected leaders wisdom and patience, justice and compassion, so that hubris might never triumph over humility.
O God, May this gathering of lawmakers always merit Your protection, and grant them the important, but oft-ignored skill of listening, really listening. May your deliberations reveal an appreciation for one another's wisdom and a respect for the diverse paths we can trod to bring healing to our broken world. Listening can teach us to give thanks for what we have and compel us to share it with those who are in need. Listening will keep us open to the wonders of creation, and alert to the care of the earth.
God of all faiths: May the members of this Senate be blessed with peace and happiness within their own homes. May that personal joy deepen their will to create a California of justice, prosperity, happiness and equality for all of our citizens.
And let us say,-AMEN.
