State Rep. Cam Cavitt on Tuesday welcomed Deacon Curtis Chambers to the State House to give the invocation. Chambers was just ordained as a Deacon in the Catholic Church on April 20.

“As a man of faith, I was so happy to welcome Deacon Chambers to give the invocation before session,” said Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. “It’s our daily opportunity to take a break from the noise and honor God and our faith. The prayer is always an important part of my day, but it’s even more special when someone from our little community is giving it.”

Chambers is a prominent member of the prominent Catholic community in Northeast Michigan. He resides in the Cheboygan area and holds an impressive list of service and accomplishments, including formally the tribal chairman of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, former Cheboygan County Commissioner, and retired county harbormaster for Cheboygan County. He also is a proud husband to his wife Jane.

“A brief note about this prayer, lest anyone think that I am smart enough to produce this by myself,” Chambers said before he began. “Most of this prayer comes from a Book of Blessings that Catholic Deacons are presented after ordination. Some of the historians in this group may recognize some of the words used by Archbishop John Carroll for the inauguration of George Washington in 1789.”

The prayer Chambers delivered at the opening of today’s House session is as follows:

(State Prayer)

In the Name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit

My brothers and sisters; God is love.

In the desire to make us share in this love, he sent his son into the world to come to our aid and in gentle kindness to help those who were weak, sick, or unfortunate.  In his great love for all of us, Christ said that whatever we do for the least among us we do for him.  He called those who show Mercy, “blessed of his Father,” and promise them eternal life.  Let us then pray for the Lord’s richest blessings on the members of this house, who are devoted to helping their brothers and sisters indeed all the citizens of Michigan.

We pray for (Gretchen Whitmer) the governor of this great state, for the members of the legislature, for judges, elected civil officials, and all others who are entrusted to guard our political welfare.  May they be enabled by your powerful protection to discharge their duties with honesty, integrity, and ability.

Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed your glory to all nations. God of power and might, wisdom and justice, through you Authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.

We likewise commend to your unbounded mercy all citizens of the State of Michigan that we may be blessed in the knowledge and Sanctified in the observance of your Holy Law.

May we be preserved in union and that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

We pray to you, who are Lord and God, forever and ever.

May God Bless all of you.  In the Name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

Amen

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