How to lead prayers in the US Senate — Clergy-craft 101

With thanks to Curtis M Wong writing in the Huffington Post

So here’s a clergy gig I have never held, and never will — Chaplain to the United States Senate. What does one say? What can one say? In an effort to surface divine love, before   many who are interested more in loyalty to a president over the challenges Jesus puts to his followers — including “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12) — why bother saying anything at all?

For so many in the upper chamber — those who argue for prayer in schools and public display of the Ten Commandments — adjusting one’s life to meet these high standards seems so totally irrelevant. I suspect that “loving your neighbour” is a poor reelection strategy. I do wonder how senate chaplain Barry Black faces such a challenge, day after day, as the government shutdown continues, as US residents face the consequences of shutdown, a fiscal fight [that] means millions of Americans may not receive food aid, thousands of troops could have to work without pay, and millions may go without heat. [BBC]

Chaplain Black concluded his morning prayer on Oct 27 with these words:

“This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and prophets,” he said. “Lord, remind our lawmakers that no gold medals are given for breaking shutdown records, but a crown of righteousness is given to those who take care of the lost, last and least. We pray in your loving name. Amen.”

The video link is below. Enjoy. It’s quite special, and pointed. I wonder if he will keep his job?

Black, who has served since 2003, has alluded to the shutdown numerous times in his prayers for the past several weeks ― though he notably came across more urgently in his words on October 27.

Personally, I think he deserves some encouragement and possibly some of the prayers I have composed below:

ONE
Lord, here we go again
Day by day, a hive of inactivity
Listening to our own hearts
Our needs, our wants;
Help us to listen,
To each other
To our constituents,
To our President,
And to a Divine voice as we find it;
Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:9)

TWO
Back at it, again
Same as yesterday
But hopefully different today;
All of you, people of God,
flee from all this,
and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith,
love, endurance,
and gentleness; (1 Timothy 6:11)
And may God have mercy
On your souls.

THREE
Thinking of all faiths, as Christianity does not seem an effective motivator in the present moment here is a Prayer for Peace in the Islamic tradition: (extract)

Oh Allah, our lord,
unite our nation around the principles
of justice, peace, love, and faith.
Put peace and love in our hearts
for the diversity that makes
our country so beautiful
Oh Lord, most Strong,
Give us the strength
to protect and care
for our neighbours.

If I were chaplain, I wonder if I would keep my job? Likely not. Fortunately, I still enjoy retirement. That said, one final prayer:

God help the US and it’s legislators;
God help the vulnerable;
Help us all find a voice;

And the people said: “Amen.”

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