[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 114 (Monday, August 15, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Richard C. Halverson, D.D., offered the 
following prayer:
  Let us pray:
  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell 
together in unity!--Psalm 133:1.
  ``The Senate is the living symbol of our union of states.''--
Inscribed on west wall of Dirksen Senate Office Building.
  Eternal God, Lord of history, Governor of the nations, the present 
situation gives America an opportunity to observe democracy at its 
best. Sometimes the democratic process seems like an irresistible force 
meeting an immovable object; yet, however slow and tedious, it is 
infinitely more desirable than a monarchy or a dictatorship. In the 
words of Winston Churchill, ``Democracy is the worst form of government 
* * * except for all the other forms of government.'' We thank Thee, 
Lord, for a political system which guarantees the best for the most.
  Infinite Lord, the needs, desires, opinions of 250 million people, 
hundreds of cities and counties, 50 States, thousands of organizations 
and institutions--not to mention global crises--converge on the 100 
Members of the Senate who must somehow find resolution. We thank You, 
mighty God, for the 100 Senators representing 50 States, many different 
backgrounds, views, and convictions, who struggle, often under great 
pressure and frustration, to arrive at solutions.
  We thank You, gracious God, for patient, fair, dedicated leadership 
during these highly pressurized days. It must have been like this 
during the Constitutional Convention with many resisting independence, 
many opposed, and many supporting a strong, central government. We 
recall that, at the suggestion of the wise Ben Franklin, they resorted 
to prayer. Cover the Senate with divine love, grace, and wisdom as the 
Members work their way through this very complex democratic process.
  In Jesus' name who is the Prince of Peace. Amen.

                          ____________________