PHOTOS: Bishop McKnight leads Missouri House in prayer

Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City makes his first visit to the Missouri House of Representatives March 15, leading the prayer at the beginning of the day’s session and greeting several lawmakers with Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, House chaplain and vicar general for the diocese.

The Missouri Senate and House of Representatives have been beginning each day’s deliberations with prayer since the state was admitted to the Union in 1821.

This is the bishop’s prayer as recorded in the House Journal for March 15:

“Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit,” (Matthew 7:17).

We open our minds to You, O God, and pray that Your spirit may come into our hearts, giving us strength and guidance.

Remove from within us any bitterness that influences our lives, any resentment that ruins our attitudes, and any worry that drains and wears us out.

Help us to think truthfully and clearly, to speak forcefully and faithfully, and to work heartily and hopefully, and to live trustfully and truly.

In this spirit may we learn to do what is best for our State and good for the people we serve and love.

And the House says, “Amen!”