State Representative Lon Burnam is a brave man. Several years ago he stood as the lone vote against a resolution in the Texas House of Representatives supporting the war in Iraq. This week he was brave enough to sponsor me as I gave the invocation before the House began its work on Monday. Also standing with him were Representative Rafael Anchia and Representative Terri Hodge.

As I walked to the podium carrying a thick file of papers, I saw a distinct look of fear in the eyes of those seated closest to the front. At first I thought it was because many of them had never been prayed for by a gay preacher, but then I realized they thought that thick folder was a copy of my prayer. (You have to give a printed copy to the clerk). I assured them that what I held was not my prayer, but petitions signed by hundreds and hundreds of members of the Cathedral of Hope calling on the House to declare a moratorium on the death penalty in Texas. I reminded them that I live in a county in which, since 2001, 19 people have been exonerated after spending as many as three decades imprisoned for crimes they did not commit.

I then prayed and reminded them that Jesus came for the poor, the sick and the prisoners. You can read the full text of my prayer here.

After the prayer, Rep. Hodge took the petitions in order to present them to the Capital Punishment Subcommittee, which is meeting today. The chair is Robert Miklos, a Democrat from East Dallas. He needs to hear from you.

t would take a miracle for Texas to change its practice, but I, for one, believe in miracles. So, I ask you to pray with me for the Texas State Legislature and to send an email or make a call to let them know that not all Texans are proud to live in the state with the highest number of executions. Many of us are disciples of Jesus, an innocent man executed by the state. The least we can do is insist that it is time to stop killing people and calling it justice.

Blessings,

Michael Piazza
President, Hope for Peace & Justice