Members of the Missouri Legislature have asked for prayer in efforts to tackle the worst budget crisis to face the State of Missouri in decades. Christian leaders have met with key leaders from both political parties in the General Assembly who have requested a concentrated prayer effort to help resolve intense budget challenges they are facing.

"Because of the state's budget shortfall, they recognize that

the pending budget cuts will cause pain to many of our Missouri citizens," says Sue Stoltz, Midwest Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer. "They are looking for wisdom to avoid the painful cuts they are now dealing with in finalizing the state's budget."

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has already cut a total of $850 million in spending from the current year's budget. Budget officials believe that there is a need to cut an additional $500 million in spending from the budget for the coming fiscal year starting this July. State revenues are currently

nearly 13% below the level of the previous year. It is expected that the following year's budget will be even worse.

The state budget is currently being held together by $2 billion in federal "stimulus" funds which were used to supplement the 2009 and 2010 budgets. Once those dollars are gone, state budget officials are facing a herculean task in balancing the budget without substantial cuts in nearly all state programs. Public elementary and secondary education, which has generally been spared from budget cutbacks, will likely be on the chopping block as well.

Stoltz says that Christian leaders have agreed to mobilize a 40-day prayer and fasting effort ending on May 7th, the date

by which the Legislature must adopt a final budget under Missouri's Constitution. The prayer campaign will be kicked off with a prayer service in the rotunda of the Capitol at noon on Monday, March 29th.

"We want to avoid anything that would divisive or distracting to this thrust of seeking God for solutions," Stoltz explains. "We want to make sure this is not turned into a political event. This prayer focus is a bipartisan effort with united support from leaders of both political parties."

Stoltz says the National Day of Prayer Task Force will be working with pastors and churches throughout the state to organize community prayer gatherings. They will be asking churches to pray daily for all the state

representatives and state senators, that they be granted wisdom and patience, and that they will make their decisions based on pure motives.

She is also asking legislators to share with churches the types of public services that may be impacted by potential cuts. "We can then let the churches know the areas they need to step up to the plate to provide for the people in their communities. It is Scriptural that the Church be the one providing for the needs of the people and not rely on the government."

Kerry Messer of the Missouri Family Network has played a leading role in conversations with legislators that led to the prayer initiative. He agreed to shepherd the statewide push to enlist prayer warriors on behalf of the General Assembly to help bring dignity and good judgment to the budget deliberations.

Several lawmakers asked for prayers for patience. "When people of goodwill here work together, we can solve

problems," one said. "But when legislators lose patience with each other, then the problems become insolvable. When we're faithful and work together, miracles do happen."

"Other states are watching us and seeing how we handle this," Stoltz says. "We can demonstrate that we are the Show Me State in how we handle a major crisis in government. If we allow God to have His way and invite Him in our decisions, I believe He will do great and mighty things."