On May 1, 2010 in concert with people in Capitol’s all over the United States, I had the extreme honor to pray for our Nation and Israel.  My heart was moved  beyond measure as we stood in the Washington State Capitol Rotunda.  The halls that are normally filled with Lawmakers, Lobbyist and Citizens were now empty except for those  who gathered to pray.  My husband Senator Joseph Zarelli is one of those lawmakers who walk these halls during session.  As I sat and took in the beauty and the quietness, I thought about what I was to pray.  I knew that I was going to be last so I began to simply enjoy my time and trust that my heart would be ready to intercede for our Nation and Israel.

The moment came when the  concert of prayer began ~ A gentleman wrapped in a Tallit, standing on the upper floor, rose to blow the shofar!  The beautiful sound echoed through the halls as if to be calling on the LORD of Hosts and the army that would join Him.  Chills ran through every fiber of my being.

After a few songs of Patriotism, people began to pray.  We sought G_D for our State and National Leaders, for Families, Youth and the Unborn.   We prayed for our Cities, and Counties, and for Business Leaders.  Then came my turn, when I got to the podium I wasn’t sure what more I could say except “humble yourself at the feet of Israel and learn from her so we can protect our land”, but I had more. Washington State has so much in common with Israel.  Our population, and business industries are nearly the same.  While we have might have more land our weather is even like that of Israel’s.  The State of Washington and the State of Israel need to be tied together, our hearts must become one.  I prayed that G_D would bind us together so we would be a blessing to Israel.  I asked for us to humble ourselves and learn from Israel so we may protect our state and nation from the enemy who wants to destroy us both. I asked that our relationship economically would be strengthened.

I then asked for forgiveness as our Nations Leaders have recently been rejecting the leaders of Israel and her people.  I prayed that President Obama would be humbled and see the error of his way and repent.  That they to would read of Israel’s promise from G_D and stand with them.  Finally,  I prayed for Israel’s leaders and for the State to stay as one and that true Peace would come.

At the conclusion, the gentleman wrapped in a Tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) rose again to blow the Shofar.  This time the sound echoed as if to say, ‘it is done”. Something happened this day all around the United States.  I believe G_D heard our cries, and was pleased with our requests. May Washington State and Israel stand together and may G_D entwine our hearts together with a bond that cannot be broken!

As for me Tani Zarelli,  I will do my part to support Israel by speaking out, leading delegations of people on trips to Israel and promoting business relationships. I hope that others will join me.  I hope that our State Investment Board will seek to invest more of our resources in Israeli companies and that we will continue to find ways to bring attention to common interests we each hold.  I urge our legislators to stand with Israel and  learn how to better protect our great State!

It was an honor to have been invited to participate in this event and very humbling to pray for the State of Washington, our Nation and Israel.

Listen here to the sound of the shofar as it echoed through the Washington State Capitol.