Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) has recommended Pastor Darin Wood of The First Baptist Church of Midland to serve as a Guest Chaplain and deliver a morning prayer to open the official proceedings on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Pfluger also honored Pastor Wood on the U.S. House Floor for his service to the Permian Basin.
“Pastor Wood's leadership and stalwart faith inspire our entire community,” said Congressman Pfluger. “He is a personal mentor to me and has been a great source of wisdom and strength throughout my years in Congress. He delivers a message of hope—that through our faith, we can rest in the knowledge that God is in control.”
Pastor Wood's prayer included:
"Most Gracious and loving God,
As we gather in this solemn space, we pause to thank you for your kindness, your mercy, your blessings, and most of all your wisdom, especially this election season.
With humility, we ask for your wisdom, your discernment, in these proceedings today and every day in this the People's House.
We remember our time here is brief, just like Jesus said in Matthew 6, we're only here for a moment.
So like the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin, let us embrace the season you have given us for service to you and the people of this great land.
Grant us your mercy today to remember we are just servants serving you and the people we represent. Allow us to know your peace in this challenging time.
Finally, we pray for strength like Moses or the Apostle Peter, and most of all, like Jesus.
Let us be led faithfully by you to lead others.
In your powerful name, we pray, amen."
Congressman Pfluger's remarks included:
"M. Speaker
I rise today to recognize Pastor Darin Wood of The First Baptist Church of Midland who will be opening the House Floor in prayer tomorrow.
Pastor Wood grew up in Joshua, Texas, and started his career in pastoral ministry in 1999. The Wood family later moved to the Permian Basin and started preaching at First Baptist Church of Midland in February 2016. His leadership inspires our community to do better and be kinder.
He is no stranger to lending a hand to others and has opened his congregation’s doors to the public during times of need.
In his own words: 'You may enjoy the title of ‘pastor’ but truthfully it is an earned role won bit by bit.'
Joining him are his wife Julie and son Joshua.
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