The Lynchburg News & Advance is reporting that Jonathan Falwell, who took over as Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church after his father Jerry died in 2007, has been invited by Rep. Bob Goodlatte to deliver the opening prayer in the House of Representatives tomorrow morning:
Rev. Jonathan Falwell will deliver the opening prayer on Wednesday for the U.S. House of Representatives, an opportunity that he called “an incredible honor.”
Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th District, invited him to fill the guest chaplain role. The invitation was issued through the House of Representatives chaplain’s office.
Goodlatte will deliver a short speech welcoming Falwell to the House.
The events can be viewed on C-SPAN starting about 9:55 a.m.
His day in Washington will include visits with Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th District, and several other members of Congress, Falwell said.
Falwell said he expected to pray for wise leadership and protection for the country.
“Certainly, in that place, wisdom is something to be prayed for on a daily basis,” Falwell said.
“The Bible tells us to pray for our leaders,” Falwell said. “And I’ll pray for protection for our country, thanking God for what he has already done to bless our country in so many ways.
“And also for those who protect us overseas, our men and women overseas,” he said.
A get-together with Liberty University students and graduates who are working on Capitol Hill also was being arranged, Falwell said.
“A lot of them are working as interns and summer staffers,” he said.
Falwell said this would be his first time delivering the opening prayer in Washington.
Falwell said he didn’t know whether his father, Rev. Jerry Falwell, ever delivered the opening prayer for the House of Representatives. “Certainly it is an honor he would have deserved,” Falwell said.
“It is an incredible honor for me, and a privilege to be able to do it,” he said.
