The Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos, chaplain at Covenant Shores Retirement Community on Mercer Island, gave the opening prayer at the new legislative session in Olympia on Monday. He was invited to offer the invocation by Representative Judy Clibborn, a Mercer Island resident.

In light of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl dreams,  Asimakoupoulos employed references to the Hawks in his prayer.

Gracious Creator, for the chance to play another day, we give you thanks. For the emotions that energize us with Super Bowl dreams, we are grateful. Thank you, God, for fresh starts and new beginnings. Thank you, Father, for a new day.

As this new legislative session dawns, enlighten these who hear my voice with brilliant ideas that will dispel the shadows of doubt that darken the optimism of those who have grown cynical of the political process.

Lift the low-lying fog of familiarity that prevents these lawmakers from seeing new possibilities.

Where limited visibility clouds their view of cooperation and compromise, penetrate the overcast.

You who once declared “Let there be light!” fill us with the light of day as we seek to reflect the Son of Righteousness empowered by energy that is found in humility, honesty, forgiveness and trust.

For our governor, the speaker and each representative, we ask your blessing, gracious God. May the 12th Man loyalty that unifies our state characterize the teamwork of these who scrimmage daily toward a common goal. Amen.