Arizona State Senator Wendy Rogers opened a Senate floor session by reading from the Old Testament Book of Esther while giving the official prayer, recognizing the Jewish holiday of Purim.
Rogers read passages describing how Queen Esther exposed Haman’s plot to destroy the Jewish people and how “the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.”
She explained that the holiday’s name comes from the word “pur,” meaning lot, recalling how Haman cast lots to choose a day to destroy the Jews, but God intervened and delivered His people. “The name of the celebration is a reminder of God’s providence and his love,” Rogers said.
She concluded the prayer by asking God to bless the Senate and guide its work, ending with, “In Jesus’ name, amen.”
#Purim #BookOfEsther #FaithInPublicLife #ReligiousFreedom
