Interfaith Advocacy Group Prays Ahead of Texas Legislative Session

A 50-year tradition was maintained ahead of the 89th Texas Legislative session on Tuesday morning.

Texas Impact, the largest interfaith advocacy group in the state, prayed over the work that’s ahead. Seven religions were represented:

• Christianity
• Judaism
• Sikhism
• Islam
• Buddhism
• Jainism
• Zoroastrianism

Members of each faith showed unity, sharing interfaith prayers. “Our shared faiths, in every one of the traditions represented here, is that we are made in the image of God,” Rep. John Bryant of the Dallas area said. That image was visualized as eyes are closed, with ears and hearts wide open. A crowd of people and observers took in powerful messages from faith leaders and state representatives. “In times of political division and discord, public prayer and intention-setting offer the opportunity to affirm deeply held, widely shared values and hopes for our communities,” Rev. Leslie Jackson, a board member of Texas Impact from Houston, said. From children to elders — all walks of life on Texas State Capitol grounds lined up, eager for the first official day shaping the tomorrow of all Texans.

KXAN was able to connect with a few representatives who were a part of the celebration to ask them how their faith influences public policy. Rep. Salman Bhojani, one of the first Muslim state representatives, said his work is deeply rooted in his faith. “My faith inspires me because it allows me to reach across the aisle,” Bhojani said. “I read the Quran and it says do things together, and what we have in common, regardless of the differences.” Bhojani and others will spend countless hours listening and debating on new legislation in the next several weeks. “I don’t think any of us walk in these doors without having values, and a moral compass,” Rep. Donna Howard said. El Paso Representative Joe Moody has leaned on his faith through his work, as he’s advocated for stricter gun laws. This, after experiencing a mass shooting in his community. Moody was also appointed vice chair of the Texas House investigative committee on the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde. “[I’m] not necessarily trying to tell people to believe what I believe but to live my faith in the works that I do,” Moody said in response to how his faith influences his public policy work. According to the Pew Research Center, 80% of adults say religion’s role in their lives isn’t as prevalent as it used to be. In Texas, there’s still a strong sense of using religion to find common ground in politics, as demonstrated by the Texas Impact pre-legislative session prayer event on Tuesday.

FAQs

1. What is Texas Impact?

Texas Impact is the largest interfaith advocacy group in the state that works to promote social justice and equity through the lens of various religious traditions.

2. How many religions were represented at the pre-legislative prayer event?

Seven religions were represented at the event, including Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism.

3. How do faith leaders and state representatives come together at such events?

Faith leaders and state representatives come together to share interfaith prayers and messages of unity, emphasizing common values and hopes for the community.

4. How does faith influence public policy for some Texas state representatives?

For some representatives like Salman Bhojani and Joe Moody, faith serves as a guiding force that inspires them to work across differences and advocate for policies that align with their moral values.

5. Why is the use of religion to find common ground in politics significant in Texas?

Despite changing attitudes towards religion in public life, Texas maintains a strong tradition of using faith as a unifying force to bridge political divides and work towards shared goals.