NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 8, 2015) -- For the second time in less than a month, a Holston Conference pastor has offered the opening prayer for a legislative group.
On April 8, the Rev. Martha Moore Beamer, pastor of the Cherokee Circuit in Greene County, prayed with the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Beamer lifted up legislators "as they have joined the long line of promoters of democracy and freedom." She asked God to grant them strength "as they work for constituents and not for themselves. Help them -- help us all -- remember that where much is given, much is required."
Beamer also prayed for legislators to "cooperate across party lines and lead with integrity and honesty, so the state of Tennessee may be made strong and prosperous and live in harmony."
Beamer was introduced by Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville.
"All in all, [it was] a great experience for me and my grandchildren, who were pages for the day," Beamer said later.
On March 18, the Rev. Mark Gooden, senior pastor at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City, Tenn., offered the opening prayer for the U.S. House in Washington, D.C.
See Beamer in House session video.