Reverend Don Davidson
First Baptist Church
Alexandria, VA
Sponsor: Rep. Ron Lewis, (R-KY)
Date of Prayer: 02/01/2006
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to introduce Reverend Don Davidson , Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, joining us to deliver this morning's prayer. Reverend Davidson is a remarkable man and Christian witness whose vocation has touched the hearts and moved the spirits of countless men and women throughout his three decades of pastoral service.
Born in Suffolk, Virginia, Reverend Davidson earned degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and Southeast Baptist Theological Seminary at Wake Forest, North Carolina. His Christian mission has brought him and his equally gifted wife Audrey to pastorates in Farmville, Virginia; Henderson, North Carolina; Orlando, Florida; and Danville, Virginia before being called to the First Baptist Church of Alexandria this past September.
The First Baptist Church has been a place of worship for numerous Members of Congress and their staff throughout its 200–year history. In fact, Reverend Davidson first came to my attention through Darla Tomes, a former member of my staff, who works for the Department of Defense.
Thank you, Reverend Davidson , for being here today to invoke God's divine guidance as we start this Second Session of the 109th Congress. I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming you to the House of Representatives.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Dear God, our Heavenly Father –
Maker of all there is, the One in whom we live and move and have our being.
We pause at the beginning of this day to acknowledge that you are God – and we are not. We are but your servants and we humbly bow before you.
Thank you for this rich and diverse country, the United States of America. For this great deliberative body and the role each member plays in leading our government and charting our nation's course.
Grant them wisdom and courage for the decisions of this hour. Speak, Lord – and may these hear you and obey, that your will be done on earth just as it is in Heaven.
We confess our sinfulness and we ask for your grace in abundance.
Through Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory