I was back on Capitol Hill this week. I arrived on Tuesday evening, flying to DCA from Indiana where Kristine and I had spent the weekend. The members of Congress on my flight were different than those who are typically on my flight from LAX. It allowed me to greet these members in a more casual and less pressured setting than Capitol Hill.

As I chatted with a representative at the gate, she shared her faith and this verse from 2 Corinthians 5:9-11: Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

This representative shared how she watches the voting records of other members to evaluate how they apply their faith to their votes. I was very impressed by how this unlikely candidate ended up serving her constituents in the United States Capitol.

Upon arrival in DC, I made some deliveries in the Cannon Building. There was an interesting placard on the door of one representative. I know that they have been lobbied heavily to support Ukraine funding. The placard read, “NO FOREIGN LOBBYING.”

When I opened the door, the member was standing there and I handed them my note and said, “I’m a foreign lobbyist.” The member looked at me with a quizzical expression. I then said, “I’m not of this world. I just traveling through.” The member immediately understood and had a good laugh.

In the Capitol that evening I chatted with a member whose mother had just passed. It was a chance to speak words of encouragement and comfort and just listen. I also slipped into the office of the Speaker of the House and pray with a young staffer who will be giving birth to her first child next week.

Wednesday morning, I was joined by my friend, Cary Schmidt. Cary pastors a church in Connecticut and has been a long-time friend. He joined me for the day as we walked ten miles through the halls delivering my notes of encouragement. Later that evening, Cary would speak in our worship service.

As we started making our journey, we stopped at a desk in the basement of the Cannon Building to secure a visitor badge so Cary could walk with me through the Capitol and the tunnels that join to House and Senate office buildings. As soon as we stepped up to the counter to get his badge, the lady behind the counter said, “Can you pray for me?” My friend shared how she needed spiritual healing and prayer for her grandson. It was a divine appointment as we started our day.

As we turned to head to the Capitol, we encountered a representative who immediately said, “Boy, did I need to see you.” For the next few moments he poured out his heart about his concern for the nation.

Cary and I made our way through the Capitol slipping in and out of leadership offices heading to the Senate office buildings. We walked through the first floor of the Capitol where I showed him the recently unveiled statue of Billy Graham.

The Senate was not in session this week, but that does not diminish the importance of our presence. I’ve learned that members are always encouraged when they return to their office to find my note on their desk. It also allowed for extended conversations with staff, many who were in more casual attire since their bosses were gone. There were numerous occasions to engage and pray with the young folks who work in these offices.

Cary was getting a good taste of the work I do walking the halls and engaging with many of the 18,000 people that work on the Hill. He was greeted warmly by Representative Pete Sessions and observed the warm relationship I have with Representative Sessions.

Wednesday evening, Cary and I set-up for our worship service. Before the service we saw Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has been outspoken on defending women’s sports. She was in the Capitol for a press event in support of maintaining Title IX.

In our service we hosted a group of 33 guests from a church in Denver, Colorado. They wanted to experience worship in the Capitol and share in the Lord’s Supper.

Following our service in Room 122 in the Capitol, our group was escorted to Statuary Hall and to the Rotunda by Representative Jeff Duncan of South Carolina. Mr. Duncan also took the group into the member’s prayer chapel adjacent to the Rotunda where the group took The Lord’s Supper. The folks visiting had an amazing evening of worship and inspiration.

Rather than fly home Thursday morning, I’ve remained in Washington, DC to participate in the wedding of a Senate staffer who asked if I would officiate at his wedding. It’s an honor to encourage this couple at the beginning of their marriage.

Thursday afternoon, I attended the open house of an Interfaith Staff Prayer Room created by the House Chaplain in the Cannon building. While having a dedicated space for the staff to pray, the resources in the room included Bibles, copies of the Talmud, Korans, and a few other devotional books.

Friday morning, I received a text from a representative with a picture of my note to him with a word of thanks. Simple words of encouragement can mean a great deal.

This was another powerful time on Capitol Hill. While I would like to share names, pray for the credential lady and her grandson. Pray for members to stay encouraged. Pray for the young soon-to-be mother. Pray for the young couple getting married this weekend.

I’ll be returning to the Hill in two weeks.

God bless.