Prayer for City Council

Prayer for City Council
Fairmont, WV
2/23/10

Eternal Giver of Life, Spirit that pervades all that is,
You care for all life, and Your care extends to each of us for good.
By Your grace we create communities in which
we may cooperate for the mutual benefit of everyone.

Grant in this gathering of government this evening,
That we may be aware of your ongoing presence and guidance.

We love our city set on a mount called “Fair.”
We recall the ways life is more “Fair” because we live here:

We are grateful for first responders—the police, firefighters,
EMS personnel, those who operate snow-removal
equipment or who rush to repair broken waterlines
and severed power cables.

We are grateful for the many behind-the-scenes supervisors,
clerical workers, and other individuals who field the
innumerable telephone calls and manage limited
resources so that help can get to where it is most needed.

We are grateful for all in our “Fair” city whose service is
marked by genuine care for quality of life in this place.

May those who lead in our city’s council and committees,
those who sound the sirens when there is trouble,
those who ensure legitimate and wise use of financial resources,
those who do business here or provide needed services,
and, indeed, all without whom our city would not be as “Fair,”
be guided by a vision that is “Fair,”
a vision calling forth the kind of courage
that thinks not of selfish benefit
but of those attributes that make life whole and healthy.

And help us all, as citizens of this fair city,
to do our best to support those who lead us and work for us
as they do their best to serve our common good.