Public Servants' Prayer Ministry Newsletter - Issue 1

 

 

 

Women's Statehouse Day

It has been a very busy season for me.  On Wednesday I was privileged to assist in coordinating as well as photographing the Women's Statehouse Day at the Indiana Statehouse.  At 8:00 that morning, I was wondering if the months of planning were going to come to fruition as three of our program participants informed us they could not attend due to illness, we ran out of supplies in preparing the gift bags, we were two tables short for lunch of what we had been told we would have, etc.  But with all these setbacks, we managed to be ready by 10 a.m., and God truly blessed the event.

Matthew Barnes praying with Sen. Jean Breaux

Pam Russell

Mrs. Jan Aikman Dickson, wife of former IN Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Dickson

Our table decorations

Our lunch spread catered by Chick-fil-a

I was also privileged to open the event in prayer.

I'm grateful to have several big events behind.  Looking forward to a little vacation and Kathy coming home soon!

2017 Women's Statehouse Day

Join us on April 5, 2017 for the Women's Statehouse Day!  We are honored that our Lt. Governor, Suzanne Crouch, will be our special guest that day, and we look forward to hearing from several speakers and praying together for our leaders.  Register at www.capitolcom.org/women if you plan to attend.  We look forward to seeing you there!

www.capitolcom.org/women

Statehouse Prayer Service

Statehouse Prayer Service - Save the Date!

The Indiana Statehouse

I admit I might be a little partial, but I believe we have one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the country.  Yesterday, Rachael and I took a friend downtown for a tour of our statehouse.  Since it was a weekend with hardly anyone there, it was the perfect opportunity to practice some artistic photography.

We also got a couple of outdoors shots:

Following the statehouse tour, we made our way over to the Indiana State Library known for its rare manuscripts.  When I spotted Garfield, Rachael couldn't resist a pose...

It was a beautiful fall day, so we walked along the canal for a bit and took a few more pictures.  

We shared a great morning and afternoon together!  

Statehouse Events

The days have been flying by so quickly, and I am behind on several posts!  We are in the middle of the legislative session here in Indiana, and Matt Barnes and his team have been busy interacting with our leaders and planning for and executing several events.  It has been hard work but also a lot of fun!

We kicked off the legislative session with our annual prayer service.  What a blessed time together!  Over 500 people gathered together to pray for our state and country, and Governor Pence, Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann as well as dozens of lawmakers participated with us.  It was a wonderful time!

Just yesterday, we hosted our second Women's Statehouse Day.  I was the registration coordinator as well as one of the photographers for the day.  It was encouraging to see about 100 women gather together to pray for their leaders and learn how to effectively minister to them.

We were honored to have our Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, and Superintendent of Public Instruction with us as well as numerous mayors and local government leaders from across the state.  

Our keynote speaker was Secretary of State Connie Lawson.  

Chick-fil-a catered a wonderful lunch for us.

I love the black and purple theme associated with this event.

Our guests were also treated to an unexpected tour of the Governor's office!  

Now we are preparing for the Leadership Prayer Breakfast on February 18 as well as the Pastors' Statehouse Day on February 23.  Pray with us that God will continue to bless the work of our hands.  We know that without his aid, our labor is vain.

Capitol Commission Team

I am blessed to serve with such a great team!

Back Row (from left to right): Matt Barnes, Miriam Barnes, Nathan Barnes, Pam Russell

Front Row (Left to Right): Lucas Holt, Jenny Blankenship, Ruth Salmons, Debbie Magnuson, Rachelle Myers

Statehouse Prayer Service

2016 Women's Statehouse Day

The 2016 legislative session is just around the corner, and we are already making plans for hosting several events at the Indiana Statehouse.  I am excited to help promote our second Women's Statehouse Day on Thursday, February 4, 2016.  This is a golden opportunity for women to come and hear how they can pray for their leaders.  We are honored to have Secretary of State Connie Lawson address our group.  You won't want to miss this exciting day! 

Registration for the event is now open at www.capitolcom.org/women.  I hope you can join me there!

Capitol Commission Annual Conference

Just last week I was privileged to be part of a host team as we welcomed state directors and their wives from all over the nation for the Capitol Commission Conference.  It was so much fun to take them around our beautiful city and showcase Hoosier hospitality!  

It was a special treat to have all our sessions and meetings in the Indiana senate chamber.  We were privileged to have Lt. Governor Sue Ellpersmann, State Treasure Kelly Mitchell, Rep. Randy Frye, and Rep. Timothy Wesco address our group.

We also arranged to have a morning devotional in the Governor's office.

The Lord gave us beautiful weather for several memorable outings together.  A board member planned an afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Measuring the goal to make sure it's 10 feet tall!

At the IMS with a special friend.

On Tuesday afternoon, I helped to plan an outing for all the women in the group.  Surrey rides around the canal were a perfect way to enjoy the beauty of the city and mention particular landmarks.  The ladies loved it!!!

It was a wonderful several days together!  I so appreciated the opportunity to meet our state directors and hear what God is doing through them in their capitols throughout the country.  Given the hostility that Christianity is now encountering in the political arena, these men need our prayers more than ever as they seek to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to our nation's leaders.  Please be praying with with me that God continue to equip them and his Word go forth to change the hearts and lives of those leading our country.

A Sure Entrance

It was a cold, damp March afternoon.  As I drove down Meridian Street, I could feel myself becoming more and more nervous.  I continued to rehearse what I had been told only hours earlier.  "The security guards are nice.  Just tell them you were invited at the last minute because of a cancellation."

As I pulled into the entrance of the Governor's residence, the stone-faced security guard standing there was far from comforting to this apprehensive guest.  "What's your name?" he asked as he looked down at his list.  "Jenny Blankenship" I replied.  "I was invited to take another guests' place who had to cancel."

The longer it took for him to read down the list of names the more I became unsure of myself.  I had nothing to give this officer as proof of invitation other than what I had been told by the event coordinator earlier that afternoon.  I went based on her word.  And I had been informed no one could enter the premise unless their name was on that list.

After what seemed like an eternity to me, the guard finally looked up and gave me clearance to proceed.  With a huge sigh of relief, I cruised up the drive and experienced an evening that I was soon to never forget.

***

It was indeed a high honor to be invited to this exclusive dinner in the Governor's residence with the Governor and First Lady and several other distinguished leaders.  But I could not enjoy these special privileges until that security officer found my name on his approved guest list and allowed me access to enter.  And my apprehension didn't wane until I knew that the actions of another for my benefit - which I acted upon in faith -  were indeed reality. 

This whole experience reminds me of something else, something far more important than a dinner at the Governor's residence.  Life isn't only about the here and now.  There's another Kingdom coming, and its future residents belong to the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Whether one is a part of this Kingdom or not determines their eternal destiny.

In order to attend the dinner that evening, my name had to be on the guest list, but someone else had to add my name.  I couldn't do anything about it myself.  I acted based on the decisions of another.  All that I did and all that I experienced that evening which changed my life were entirely a result of someone else's actions for my benefit.

And so it is with the Kingdom of God.  This is why the gift of salvation is so beautiful.  We have absolutely nothing to do with it.  No goodness of of our own, no beauty, no fame, no wealth can ever purchase what the people of God are given through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ.  The only basis for any confidence that one's name is written in the Book of Life is because Jesus Christ died for them and his blood has washed them of sin and made them righteous before God the Father so that they can stand in his presence, see him face-to-face, and praise him with the angelic host for all of eternity.

We have nothing to do with our salvation.  It is all a gift of God through his Son, Jesus Christ.  He alone grants one faith to believe, and the means of salvation are applied and sealed.  Because this salvation is based on the person and work of Christ, it is sure and settled.  There is no room for doubt or performance.  It's sealed.  It's accomplished.  And all because of Christ.

Unlike that evening in March when I was afraid I would not be granted entrance, when it comes to the Kingdom of God, there is a bold confidence that I will indeed be with the Lord for all eternity because I belong to Christ, and what he has done for me has made me righteous.  And because of this beautiful gift of salvation, I want to live my life to his praise and glory.

What about you?  Is your name in the Book of Life?  Have you come to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and rest in his atoning death on the cross?  What I experienced that evening in March made me pray with more fervency for those I know who are not yet residents of the Kingdom of God.  I want them there.  I want them to be with me on that glorious day when I stand before the holy God and am transformed into his likeness, praising him for what he has accomplished for his saints and living in his presence for all eternity.

A sure entrance.  Do you have it?