This past week Sandy and I traveled to Richmond to be part of the opening of the new legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly. Mount Hermon member Donald Merricks—a newly elected member of the Virginia House of Delegates—was being sworn into office. Donald and Patti wanted their pastor and wife there for the special event, so Sandy and I were honored to be part of a contingent of Merricks supporters in attendance at the festivities. Most of them were relatives. Some were political associates. The vast majority were from our church.
The day started at 7:00 AM with the 42nd annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Leaders and dignitaries from both political parties were in attendance. Several key figures in state government were on the program itself, such as Governor Timothy M. Kaine and Virginia Supreme Court Justice LeRoy 
Roundtree Hassell, Sr. I was inspired and encouraged by the authenticity of faith openly verbalized by many of the participants. There were a few attempts at political correctness on the part of some, but a number of speakers were not ashamed to verbalize the name of Jesus or stress the importance of the Bible and prayer to their lives.
In the process of the morning’s festivities, I learned that Speaker of the House Bill Howell leads a weekly Wednesday morning bible study in his office. Attorney General Robert McDonnell heads up a Tuesday morning bible study. I think Donald may plug into Bill Howell’s group. I met Speaker Howell when he was here in Danville campaigning with Donald in October. A very fine 
Christian gentleman, with a son in the ministry! Throughout the course of the prayer breakfast program, lots of scripture was read, several prayers were offered, and an African American choir called the Celebration Male Chorus provided inspiring music.
The main speaker was Mark Earley, former state attorney general and the unsuccessful Republican candidate for governor in 2001. After his political defeat, Mark Earley embarked on a whole new career as President and CEO of Prison Fellowship Ministries (the ministry that Chuck Colson founded). Earley’s message was seeker friendly, but uncompromised. Acknowledging that some in
attendance might merely admire Jesus as a figure from history, while not trusting Him as their personal Lord and Savior, Mark Earley nonetheless faithfully exalted the Person of Christ. Following the message, the governor offered a response, affirming the words of Mark Earley. Then, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling prayed the benediction, quite notably closing his prayer “in Jesus’ Name.”
After the two-hour breakfast, our entourage paid a visit to Donald’s new office in the House office building. Then, we walked across the grounds and toured the Capitol building. Before the opening legislative session began, we gained entrée to the House chamber, where we saw Donald’s new desk, which is located right next to that of Delegate Danny Marshall of Danville.
Shortly before noon, tickets in hand, we made our way upstairs to the House Gallery where we were able to look down at the proceedings on the House floor below. At 12 noon, the House convened, the delegates were called to order, and the chaplain gave the 
invocation. Quoting from 1st Timothy chapter two, he recalled in his prayer that God’s people are to pray “for kings and for all those in authority” further noting that it was “God’s will that all men might be saved.” Then, before praying for wisdom and guidance in regard to the day’s proceedings, he prayed for the salvation of all the 
House members! Hallelujah! There was no political correctness in that prayer. Then Donald and the other members of the House all stood and were sworn into office simultaneously. It was indeed a proud and humbling moment for all the delegates and their families.
The House was still in session when Sandy and I left later in the afternoon to return to Danville. Donald still had a long day ahead of him. That evening, he and his House colleagues, as well as the members of the Senate, would all assemble together in the same room for the Governor’s annual State of the Commonwealth Address. I was proud of Donald. All of us were. And our church family needs to take seriously the scriptural admonition to pray for him in this key leadership role…even more so, since he is a member of our body, and hence an extension of our church family.Wednesday was a great day. I must admit that I’ve always had a real interest in politics. Both my grandfather and my father held local elective office in Kentucky. I,
too, as a young adult was involved in politics on a small scale. But at the age of 25, God called me into the pastoral ministry. So our family’s political involvement jumped a generation to my son, who now serves in Washington on the staff of a member of Congress. If, however, I had ever had the opportunity (or the calling) to run for political office, I would have wanted to conduct my campaign in the manner that Donald Merricks did. He did it the right way. The way a Christian should. And we all should be proud of him for that. On the day he publicly kicked-off his candidacy, standing in front of the county courthouse steps in Chatham, Donald—
making his first race for public office—said that as a political novice the only two things he had to offer were his name and his reputation. He went on to say that he intended on keeping both intact. From where I stand, he accomplished that goal with flying colors.Godspeed, Donald! May the Lord continue to guide you in fulfilling the duties of your office just as He did throughout your campaign.
Pastor Danny
