[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H1260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  The Reverend Dr. Ronald F. Christian, Office of the Bishop, 
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Washington, DC, offered the 
following prayer:
  Almighty God, the Psalmist prays,
  The eyes of all look to you oh Lord, you give them meat in due season 
and, You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
  And so this day we look to You, oh God, and also pray. For all that 
we already possess, we offer our gratitude, for our daily bread and all 
things we need for life and health, we humbly plead, and, for the peace 
of mind and soul that surpasses that of human design and construction, 
we make our petition this day.
  Oh God, open Your hand of mercy and grace to us all. Where the great 
tragedy of hatred causes grief and pain, give comfort and hope. Where 
the great despair of hopelessness brings about a sense of futility and 
lack of purpose, bring a reason for being and Your love.
  Hear us oh God, for this is our prayer. Amen.

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