By Baptist Message staff
BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Opening the Louisiana House with prayer, May 11, Waylon Bailey, pastor with First Baptist Church, Covington, asked God to give guidance and wisdom to the legislators in the room.
“Heavenly Father, we thank you that we can pray,” Bailey prayed. “We thank you for being able to take everything to you in prayer.
“God, you know the needs we have as a community, as a state, as a nation, and God we recognize this nation, in our (American) Revolution, that many men and women called on you in prayer, seeking divine providence and the favor of God,” he continued. “And God, we come to you now knowing, with so many decisions to be made, with so many things that are hinging on what happens in this building, God, we ask your direction, your wisdom. You tell us, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives liberally. You tell us that you desire to give your word and your direction.
“So, I pray that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts would be pleasing in your sight, and that you would guide and direct and bless each person here with your providence,” he said. “We pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.”
Bailey told the Baptist Message “it was a blessing” to be at the capitol and pray for the elected officials.
“Anyone who’s ever tried to lead knows how difficult it is,” Bailey said. “These are people who need God’s wisdom and guidance. Let us pray for God‘s blessings on our state and for God‘s hand of favor on our governor and all who are in authority. It matters that we do so.”
Bailey was introduced by state Rep. Kim Carver, a deacon with FBC Covington.
Reciting Psalm 118:24, Carver told his fellow legislators that Bailey has served as pastor of the church for 37 years.
“He is an Old Testament scholar, and he preaches God’s Word every single Sunday and Saturday nights too,” he said. “I have the great fortune of calling him and his beautiful wife, Martha, who is on the side rail, my friends. He is my pastor. He is a wonderful leader in our community, and the pastor of First Baptist Covington, my friend, Dr Waylon Bailey.”
