“Just relax,” he said. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. Just remember, in a few moments you’ll be speaking from the very podium where every president in your lifetime has stood to address the nation during the State of the Union Address and at other times of national importance.”
And with those words, Daniel P. Coughlin, the Chaplain of the U. S. House of Represent- atives, quickly turned and walked off the platform, leaving me standing there all alone. A second later, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the third highest elected official in our national government, entered the chamber, ascended to the Speaker’s chair, and gaveled the House to order.
“And now,” she said, “our opening prayer will be offered by the Reverend Danny Davis, Pastor of Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia.”
And with that, I prayed my 150-word prayer to the Lord in full view of the scattered Congressmen and staffers on the floor; Sandy, our son Jordan, and a group of school children up in the gallery; and an indeterminable number of television viewers watching the proceedings on C-SPAN. After ending my prayer with the politically incorrect “In Jesus’ Name, Amen”, I stepped off the platform and the House recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Then I publicly was recognized by the two members of the House who had made this rare opportunity possible for me: Congresswoman Thelma Drake of Virginia Beach—my son Jordan’s boss—and Congressman Virgil Goode, our local Congressman from here in Southside Virginia.
After their remarks on the House floor, we all exited the chamber. I then met up with Sandy and Jordan and the three of us were escorted to the Speaker’s Reception Room by Chaplain Coughlin, accompanied by Speaker Pelosi, along
with Representatives Drake and Goode. Speaker Pelosi told me that the Speaker’s Reception Room was used to receive kings, presidents, prime ministers and other dignitaries, but on that particular day it was being used to receive me. (Whoa!) Chaplain Coughlin then presented me with a certificate in recognition of my serving as guest chaplain for the day. A House photographer came along to chronicle the event. It was all quite amazing—almost too much to take in—for a simple preacher like me that grew up in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky.
In the midst of all the niceties, Speaker Pelosi turned to me privately at one point and said “Please pray for us.” Recognizing the tremendous
pressures that the Congress was then under because of some of the critical issues they were facing, I assured her that I would. It was at the very moment that I suddenly was reminded of the fact that people are just people, no matter what position of power of prominence they may hold. And that everyone, regardless of status or stature, needs the Lord.
As our time together concluded, Sandy and I left the Capitol and went by Jordan’s office in the Longworth House Office Building to say our “goodbyes” to his co-workers, the other members of Mrs. Drake’s staff. During our stopover there, I was honored with yet another unexpected gift—a plaque containing an official copy of Congresswoman Drake’s remarks about me which would be entered into that day’s Congressional Record.
Congresswoman Drake had been so gracious and kind with her remarks on the House floor—not only in regard to what she said about me, but with the additional comments she made about her Senior Legislative Assistant, Jordan. It was a nice
but unexpected tribute to a young man who has been a valuable part of her team for the past three years. Sandy and I were both humbled and proud. Mrs. Drake is truly a wonderful lady. She is just completing her second term on Capitol Hill. Obviously, we hope that her re-election bid this November is successful. It truly would be a loss both to her district and the nation if it were otherwise.
Earlier in the morning, prior to the opening of the House session, Sandy and I had enjoyed a leisurely private breakfast with Mrs. Drake and
Jordan in the Members Only Dining Room. We were delighted to have that special opportunity to get to know her better. She is such a refreshing down-to-earth person, the type who quickly puts you at ease. She also is a person of character, integrity, and strong values. It is encouraging to know that there are people of her caliber serving in Congress. And the same goes for Virgil Goode. He also is a man of deep conviction and character. I feel better about things in Washington when I remember that both Thelma Drake and Virgil Goode are there. I truly thank God for public servants like these. May the Lord increase their tribe. Our nation surely could use a few more elected officials cut from the same cloth.
Pastor Danny
And with those words, Daniel P. Coughlin, the Chaplain of the U. S. House of Represent- atives, quickly turned and walked off the platform, leaving me standing there all alone. A second later, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the third highest elected official in our national government, entered the chamber, ascended to the Speaker’s chair, and gaveled the House to order.“And now,” she said, “our opening prayer will be offered by the Reverend Danny Davis, Pastor of Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia.”
And with that, I prayed my 150-word prayer to the Lord in full view of the scattered Congressmen and staffers on the floor; Sandy, our son Jordan, and a group of school children up in the gallery; and an indeterminable number of television viewers watching the proceedings on C-SPAN. After ending my prayer with the politically incorrect “In Jesus’ Name, Amen”, I stepped off the platform and the House recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Then I publicly was recognized by the two members of the House who had made this rare opportunity possible for me: Congresswoman Thelma Drake of Virginia Beach—my son Jordan’s boss—and Congressman Virgil Goode, our local Congressman from here in Southside Virginia.After their remarks on the House floor, we all exited the chamber. I then met up with Sandy and Jordan and the three of us were escorted to the Speaker’s Reception Room by Chaplain Coughlin, accompanied by Speaker Pelosi, along
with Representatives Drake and Goode. Speaker Pelosi told me that the Speaker’s Reception Room was used to receive kings, presidents, prime ministers and other dignitaries, but on that particular day it was being used to receive me. (Whoa!) Chaplain Coughlin then presented me with a certificate in recognition of my serving as guest chaplain for the day. A House photographer came along to chronicle the event. It was all quite amazing—almost too much to take in—for a simple preacher like me that grew up in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky.In the midst of all the niceties, Speaker Pelosi turned to me privately at one point and said “Please pray for us.” Recognizing the tremendous
pressures that the Congress was then under because of some of the critical issues they were facing, I assured her that I would. It was at the very moment that I suddenly was reminded of the fact that people are just people, no matter what position of power of prominence they may hold. And that everyone, regardless of status or stature, needs the Lord.As our time together concluded, Sandy and I left the Capitol and went by Jordan’s office in the Longworth House Office Building to say our “goodbyes” to his co-workers, the other members of Mrs. Drake’s staff. During our stopover there, I was honored with yet another unexpected gift—a plaque containing an official copy of Congresswoman Drake’s remarks about me which would be entered into that day’s Congressional Record.
Congresswoman Drake had been so gracious and kind with her remarks on the House floor—not only in regard to what she said about me, but with the additional comments she made about her Senior Legislative Assistant, Jordan. It was a nice
but unexpected tribute to a young man who has been a valuable part of her team for the past three years. Sandy and I were both humbled and proud. Mrs. Drake is truly a wonderful lady. She is just completing her second term on Capitol Hill. Obviously, we hope that her re-election bid this November is successful. It truly would be a loss both to her district and the nation if it were otherwise.Earlier in the morning, prior to the opening of the House session, Sandy and I had enjoyed a leisurely private breakfast with Mrs. Drake and
Jordan in the Members Only Dining Room. We were delighted to have that special opportunity to get to know her better. She is such a refreshing down-to-earth person, the type who quickly puts you at ease. She also is a person of character, integrity, and strong values. It is encouraging to know that there are people of her caliber serving in Congress. And the same goes for Virgil Goode. He also is a man of deep conviction and character. I feel better about things in Washington when I remember that both Thelma Drake and Virgil Goode are there. I truly thank God for public servants like these. May the Lord increase their tribe. Our nation surely could use a few more elected officials cut from the same cloth.Pastor Danny
NOTE: By the way, I've learned that my prayer will be preserved for posterity on the House Chaplain's official website: chaplain.house.gov. Just click on the "prayer archive" and search for the prayer dated September 17, 2008. (Honestly, I just hope the Lord was pleased with it.)
