The rotunda and main floor of the West Virginia capitol building is a fascinating place during the regular legislative session. Crowds gather around the well of the rotunda discussing various issues before the legislature. Throughout the session special days are set aside to focus on diverse aspects of life in West Virginia with assorted agencies, interest groups, and organizations setting up displays. Music groups often perform on the ground floor below with the sound rising up through the well. Legislators, lobbyists, staffers, and visitors all congregate to make this grand hallway a loud, boisterous, busy place.
The clamor reminds me of all the voices loudly vying for our legislators’ and elected officials’ attention. Lobbyists and interest groups seek to get bills introduced. Many endeavor to influence leaders’ votes on pending legislation. Competing voices argue various sides of a myriad of issues. A multitude of groups and organizations pursue funding for projects and programs. Voices seem to come from all directions. Though it seems impossible to compete with all the voices jockeying for attention in the statehouse, what a joy it is to proclaim the gospel and share the Word of God in the capitol community!
God has given us outstanding opportunities for ministry during the 2010 regular legislative session. Our Bible study series from Psalm 119, Treasuring God’s Word, has challenged our leaders to make it a priority to read, study, and apply God’s Word to their lives. As always, we seek to share the gospel in each of our studies that are distributed in person and by email throughout the statehouse every week. I have included one of these studies, The Word on Trials and Affliction, which I pray might be an encouragement to you.
One of our goals is to equip you to join us in the cause of reaching and ministering to government leaders. I have included our 2010 Leaders Prayer Guide to help you pray more consistently and effectively for our leaders. You can also use our online tools to help. Visit our Prayer Column Blog for an online version of our prayer guide. There you can subscribe to receive an email with leaders to pray for each day. You can also visit the Capitol Columns Blog for regular updates and articles related to reaching political leaders with the gospel.
Next week, March 2-7, I will be attending the Shepherd’s Conference in California with all of our state directors and staff from around the country. We will be spending time together as a ministry team for fellowship, training, and encouragement in our ministry to leaders in our respective states. This is always an inspiring time as we seek to continue faithfully in our work
Prayer Requests:
Pray that the Spirit of God will cut through the all the clamor and make the
gospel and Word of God clearly heard in the capitol community.
Pray for the final weeks of the legislative session which ends on March 13 and for our
final Bible studies from Psalm 119. Pray for our ongoing outreach to our leaders
throughout the year
Pray for several legislators who have severe health problems. Pray that I might have further opportunities to minister to them during these difficult times.
Pray for safety and for a blessed time at Shepherd’s Conference.
Pray for the ongoing financial needs of our ministry. Following the regular session we will need to spend some concentrated time raising additional support. Pray for us as seek those who might partner with us in sharing the gospel with leaders around the state.
Thank you so much for your interest and involvement in our ministry.
Tim Pauley
State Director, Capitol Commission West Virginia
