Pastor Robert Jeffress leads Congress to pray in the 'name of the One born in Bethlehem'

WASHINGTON (Christian Examiner) – Dr. Robert Jeffress is no stranger to leading. He is the pastor of the historic First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, an 11,000-member congregation of huge influence around the world.

He also has been a champion among U.S. evangelicals in following the model of Jesus in confronting the culture with truth.

But on Tuesday he led 435 men and women with special influence on the United States, guiding the U.S. House of Representatives in a time of prayer.

Praying in the "name of the One who was born in Bethlehem," he asked God to "grant these Representatives the wisdom to lead our Nation and to do just that, so that we may experience Your blessings and not Your judgment."

According to proceedings published by the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, the legislative docket was a busy one with discussion and debate about: breast cancer, veterans' healthcare, drought relief for California, aviation security, funding for restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, freedom of information access, and Department of the Interior issues relating to land acquisitions and designations.

Jeffress' prayer for the Congress on Tuesday:

Heavenly Father, we come into Your presence recognizing that You are the one true God, the Lord over all creation.

Father, today I want to thank You for the men and women in this House who so selflessly serve You and serve our Nation. I pray that You would bless their work, protect their families, reassure them that they are in this place of leadership because You have promoted them here.

Today, Father, we acknowledge that all of us are here on Earth not to do our will but to accomplish Your will. We affirm the words of the psalmist who said, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."

We confess that no individual, no nation can experience Your favor apart from obeying Your commands, following Your principles. Father, I pray You would grant these Representatives the wisdom to lead our Nation and to do just that, so that we may experience Your blessings and not Your judgment.

We pray all of these things in the name of the One who was born in Bethlehem, who died on a cross, and rose again that we might have eternal life, Jesus Christ our Lord. It is in His name that we pray.

Amen.

Jeffress was introduced as a guest chaplain by Congressman Louie Gohmert who attends Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he has served as a deacon and teaches Sunday School, according to his biography.