(Above: Dr. Jimmy Jackson of Huntsville leads the U.S. House’s invocation)
WASHINGTON — North Alabama pastor Dr. Jimmy Jackson was given the honor of delivering the opening invocation in the U.S. House Wednesday morning, serving as guest chaplain.
Dr. Jackson, who has been the senior pastor at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville since 1978, delivered a concise but sincere and stirring prayer to open the day’s business.
The transcript of Dr. Jackson’s prayer is below:
“Oh Lord God, you our eternal hope and our present help. We come before you today as both needy and responsible people. You know us better than we know ourselves.
You know the things that weigh heavily upon our hearts this morning. Our families, our friends, our nation and our world. Nothing is hidden from you, and you care for each of us and our concerns. You declared, ‘look unto me and be delivered all the ends of the Earth because I am God, and there is no one else.’
We need your help. Please move upon us, and give us a deep longing for your salvation, your wisdom and moral integrity.
Let us see ourselves as you see us. Let us convince ourselves of our utter dependence on you.
Open our eyes to the increasing corruption and blatant evil in our world. Oh God, send a great spiritual awakening in our land, beginning right here and right now in this room and among these people. We make our petition, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Following the prayer, Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL5), who represents Jackson, led the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance before giving a brief biography of Dr. Jackson and his family.
“One of the special privileges of serving in Congress is the opportunity to recommend a guest chaplain, and I was honored to sponsor Dr. Jackson to serve in this capacity today,” Rep. Brooks told Yellowhammer. “As an active member of our community, Dr. Jackson knows firsthand the thoughts and worries impacting Alabamians daily, and I know his prayer this morning echoes the prayers of many across our nation.”
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
