California State Senate Prayer
Rev. Gale Tompkins-Bischel served as the CA State Senate Guest Chaplain on April 16, 2015. Here is her opening prayer for that day's legislative session:

     Gracious Holy One, Creator of all that is and will ever be, this is the day that You have made, and we rejoice in it; another opportunity to be, right now, the best that we can be, to speak the kindest, wisest words that we can speak, to listen thoughtfully to one another with ears that can hear beyond syllables and into the heart of each person, and to plan for a future of hope and abundance for this state, her people, her land, and her creatures. God, help Your humble servants to avoid thinking that we already know it all, that only if everyone could bend to our will we could be satisfied. Make us able to admit that we might be wrong sometimes, that our eyes might need to be opened to see a perspective that we rejected even yesterday. May we never make an idea or an opinion into a golden calf, defending it at the expense of the dignity, worth, or well-being of our fellows or constituents. Help us remember, like the wise messengers have always said, that nothing can be added to a cup that is already full, and empty us of the part of ourselves that would block open minds, gentle spirits, and eager partnerships.

            God, like you did when you created this universe, help us create symphonies of beauty and perfection out of what looks at first glance to be chaos. Help us make a difference today for many or even for just one person, whether it be through a new law or a simple smile or hello. Guide us, God, and grant abundant courage, wisdom and blessings on the ones who serve and the ones who are served.

            We ask all of this not because of any partisan agenda, but because of love and justice, the fuels that propel every true and honest effort for peace, harmony, and reconciliation in Your precious world. We lift these prayers in your many names, and with gratitude for the freedom and joy that are the divine birthright of all humanity.─AMEN.

More prayers

Seekers: join the conversation on justice, spirituality, theology, race, leadership
Clergy: take part in a thriving continuing-education program
Students: advance your degree this summer

Classes, immersions, workshops and more
in Berkeley, Honolulu, Ferguson, Cuernavaca, and online
Summer at Pacific School of Religion is for everyone!  

Facebook/Twitter 1: Study with PSR this summer in Berkeley, Honolulu, Ferguson, or Cuernavaca.  Turn faith into action and earn CEUs too.

Facebook/Twitter 2: PSR Summer Session presents: Black Lives, Women's Liturgy, Bible & Myth, Collective Grief, Liberation Preaching. 

Learn More