Praying for What?

The legislature in Virginia got a bit of a surprise when one of their members invited a lesbian pastor to give the opening invocation (hat tip The Corner):

Lesbian asks God to convict lawmakers

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Virginia lawmakers appeared stunned when a lesbian minister opened their session Friday by asking God to "convict" officials opposed to same-sex unions.

The Rev. Debra Peevey, pastor of the Journey of the Heart Ministries in Reston, was invited by Brian Moran, an Alexandria Democrat, to deliver the session's opening prayer, the Washington Times said Saturday.

"Holy One, convict those who are using their power not to lead or to guide, but to harm gay and lesbian citizens, a small minority within this commonwealth," she said Friday. "We need to be reminded of what unites us, not pitted against one another. A house divided, you have warned us, cannot stand."

Delegates' surprise at the invocation quickly turned to irritation, the Times said.

Delegate Christopher Saxman said the pastor's "lecture" was "unfortunate," noting it was the first time in his three-year legislative career that he stopped praying during the opening prayer.

"It's supposed to be a time when we don't have politics on the floor," he complained.

What did they think they were getting? Can you imagine the outcry had an evangelical pastor gotten up and prayed for the conviction of the homosexuals in the legislature? That would probably have been the end of opening prayers forever.