Prayer by Representative Craig V. Hickman before the Maine House of Representatives on Day 2 of the State Shutdown - July 2, 2017
I stand before you today with a heavy heart. This is the People’s House and by our actions in this chamber last night, we have failed the people miserably. I simply cannot wrap my mind around the utter and senseless chaos and destruction we have brought to the lives of not only our state workers and their families, but to the families and children all across the state who will not be able to pay their bills, who will not know from where their next meal will come. I think of the economic disaster this shutdown will bring about. We have inflicted immeasurable pain and suffering on too many people and we didn’t have to do it. And so, this morning, I ask all of us to take a moment of silence to say a prayer for those who will needlessly suffer and to say a prayer for ourselves as we ponder our actions in this chamber and forge a way forward for the people of the state that we represent.
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Brilliantly blessed are those who know.
Brilliantly blessed are those who forgive themselves, for they will be able to forgive all others their greatest wrongdoings.
Brilliantly blessed are those who walk with courage through the depths of their own sorrow, for they will walk also through the greatest joy and their Spirits will grow exponentially; for them, a healing will come.
Brilliantly blessed are those who share what they have with those who have not, for their generosity will be rewarded with even more to share.
Brilliantly blessed are those who seek perfection not in people or things, but in the process of Loving itself, for they shall possess clarity of insight.
Brilliantly blessed are those who walk with courage through the depths of their own fear, for they will Love from the bottom of their hearts.
Brilliantly blessed are those who belong to the trees and the animals, for their voices will grow plants like the sun and their kindness will kill the anger of strangers.
Brilliantly blessed are those who strive to create unity out of vast diversity, for they will experience Heaven on earth.
