Day of inaugural begins with prayer

St. Peter Catholic Church was the location for Monday's interfaith prayer service that featured a number of clergy, including Pastor Monte Shinkle of Concord Baptist Church, speaking to the power of prayer in a public servant's life.
St. Peter Catholic Church was the location for Monday's interfaith prayer service that featured a number of clergy, including Pastor Monte Shinkle of Concord Baptist Church, speaking to the power of prayer in a public servant's life.

A day of joy and celebration to reflect on the responsibility of government "is a day best begun in prayer," said Richard Telthorst, deacon at St. Peter Catholic Church, Monday morning at the Interfaith Prayer Service held prior to Gov. Eric Greitens' inauguration.

Rabbi Jim Bennett, of the Congregation Shaare Emeth, told the standing-room-only crowd that prayer removes the focus on self and invites God's presence, which allows the individual to "rise from prayer a better person."

The Rev. Monte Shinkle, pastor at Concord Baptist Church, drew from Matthew 25 to encourage both Greitens and the other elected officials in attendance to live a life worthy of hearing "well done, good and faithful servant," at the end.

Shinkle noted each person is given specific gifts, and for some that is serving in political office.

From everyone, he said, God is looking for responsibility, dependability and accountability for what they do with the abilities they're given.

"Don't hide your talent or run from responsibility," Shinkle concluded. "Be dependable because you must, because we all want to hear 'well done.' 

"Be one who serves this state well."

John Lindell, pastor of James River Church, referred to the reign of King Solomon from 1 Kings: 3 for his request for a "discerning heart" when God offered him any gift.

"Foolish leadership helps no one and so we ask God for a discerning heart," Lindell said.

The pastor assured Greitens that individuals and churches will be praying for him and other elected officials. But he also encouraged the public officials to remember to pray for themselves, too.

In his closing remarks, Ron Webb, Bishop of Mount Calvary Powerhouse Church, promoted unity and laying aside differences.

"Together we can make a difference," he said. "Missouri has hope because our life is infused with faith."

In the days leading up to his inauguration, Greitens, Missouri's first non-Christian governor, observed his own faith's Shabbat Service at the St. Louis United Hebrew Congregation, as well as attending a Catholic Mass at Church of the Ascension in Chesterfield, a prayer service with the Washington Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in St. Louis and a worship service at Crossway Baptist Church in Springfield.