[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 18 (Friday, February 9, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The Chaplain, Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, offered the following prayer:
  Let us pray:

     My door was opened wide
     Then I looked around
     If any lack of service might be found,
     And sensed God at my side!
     He entered, by what secret stair,
     I know not, knowing only He was there.

  Lord, You always have a secret stair. You come in ways we least 
expect. You are Lord of circumstances, people, and possibilities we 
would never imagine. When problems mount and we wonder how we are going 
to make it, then You give us a thought that turns out to be the key to 
unlock the solution to some difficulty. We stumble on an answer to a 
problem and we discover You had guided us at the fork in the road. You 
give us friends to help us. But the greatest evidence of Your 
intervention comes inside us. Suddenly in a spiritual dry spell, the 
wells of strength begin to fill up again. We are aware of fresh courage 
to replace our fear. We are gripped by a new perspective: the only 
thing that matters is that we belong to You and that You are in charge. 
Your secret stair has led to our hearts. You have not given up on us. 
You have plans for us. You will use everything that happens for Your 
glory and our growth, and a life full of surprises.
  We thank You for the officers who give us security and protection. 
Today we affirm Officer Matthew Lutomski as he retires. We pray this in 
our Lord's name. Amen.

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