Invocation

Our Father in Heaven,
We dedicate these words to those who make this gathering tonight possible in the most special way. To those who have volunteered to serve in our military. Past, present, future.
Bless this gathering of Your children. Be with us, our families, our elected and appointed officials tonight. We pray that we all honor You in how we choose to participate in the political process in this free nation.
We are humbled by Your generous blessings to us, the people of these United States. Tonight we choose to especially thank You for the great fortune that we live in this great Country, where individual freedom is normal. A land where we can assemble to worship freely, or not, according to the convictions of our conscience. Where the exercise of intellect and political convictions is encouraged. Where education is guaranteed. We thank you that we are alive now, in this great time when the content of our character is more important than the color of our skin. A time when men and women alike have equal opportunity to excel. We pray that we never take this for granted.
Lord Grant all of us wisdom as we consider thought, word and deed during these historic times. Guide us to the courage to do what is right when it is not the same as what is easy.
As is the custom of my faith, I offer this prayer in the name of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

This is the text to the invocation given at the Diamond Bar Republican Women Federated earlier this week. More important than it embodies what I believe, these few paragraphs, woven together the last hour before the gathering, express what is so good in this nation and the gratitude I pray is in the hearts of my fellow countrymen. It isn't bad that there is a great divergence of political opinion in the people of this nation. It is bad if there is not goodwill for each other and for the Nation.