Continue to pray for all of us,” Gov. Bob Riley told those attending the Annual Legislative Prayer Luncheon Feb. 2 in Montgomery. “That more than anything else you can do will help lead the state in the right direction.”
Speaking to an interdenominational, bipartisan crowd of 550 the day after the Legislature opened its 2005 Regular Session, Riley said, “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but there’s a lot we can do if we combine our resources and talents.”
Riley used Philippians 2:1–4, “…being like-minded … being one in spirit and purpose. … Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit … consider others better than yourselves,” to challenge Alabama lawmakers.
“Let that text guide us in the next few weeks,” he said. “Let’s have a productive session and make Alabama a better place to live.”
Joe Bob Mizzell, who monitors legislative action for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) as director of Christian ethics, was pleased with the event’s attendance.
This was “the largest number of governmental officials that we’ve ever had at this event,” he said, noting there were “a good many from the judicial system” as well as legislators and representatives of the governor’s office.
Rick Lance, executive director of the SBOM, encouraged the various governmental leaders in their roles and assured them of the prayers of Alabama Baptists.
Joe Godfrey, the immediate past president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, provided the featured sermon for the event, which is sponsored each year by Alabama Baptists.
Reading from 1 Peter 1:13–22, Godfrey — pastor of First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove — challenged lawmakers with five specific items for their “To Do” list.
1. Be on guard.
“Don’t let anything impede you,” he said. “Stay alert … without fear or worry. Don’t allow the wrong kind of forces to influence you.”
2. Be on target.
“Through endurance, we can get through anything when something good is on the other end,” Godfrey said.
“Keep your goals in front of you. Remember why you came here. You are in the leadership role you are in because the God of our universe allows you to be here, so honor and please Him.”
3. Be on the best behavior.
“Be holy,” he said, noting the meaning of holy is different. “The only person we should strive to be like is our heavenly Father.”
4. Be on God’s side.
“Quit sitting on the sidelines,” he said. “Do what you need to get the job done.”
Noting that those in elected positions have chosen to get off the sidelines and get involved, Godfrey reminded them “you are accountable to those who elected you and to God.”
5. Be interested in being a blessing to others.
“Just as the governor pointed out in Philippians, do what’s best for the other person,” Godfrey said.
Bobby Bright, mayor of Montgomery and member of First Baptist Church, Montgomery, encouraged lawmakers who would be working in Montgomery during the next three and half months.
“We’re praying for you,” he said. “We may not always agree with you, but we pray for you.
“With prayer we can overcome serious issues in our state,” said Bright, who also serves as a member of the board of directors for The Alabama Baptist.
Riley did not revisit his agenda for the current legislative session during the luncheon, but he outlined his plan the night before during the State of the State address.
He plans to focus on continued governmental reforms, support a constitutional amendment to protect the sanctity of marriage and push for a law to require tougher punishments for those who commit crimes against pregnant women.
Riley also has sent his proposed education and general budgets to legislators, including a raise for teachers and no request for new taxes.
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