[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S2841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest chaplain, the Reverend Paul E. Lavin, pastor, St. Joseph's 
on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, offered the following prayer:
  Let us listen to the word of the Lord from the book of Tobit.--Tobit 
12:6-8:
  ``Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them: `Thank 
God! Give him the praise and glory.'
  ``Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done 
for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song.
  ``Before all men, honor, and proclaim God's deeds, and do not be 
slack in praise being Him.
  ``A king's secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to 
be declared and made known.
  ``Praise them with due honor.
  ``Do good, and evil will not find its way to you.
  ``Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving 
accompanied by righteousness.''
  Let us pray:
  Good and gracious God, it is by Your light, the light of Your spirit, 
that You inspired us to understand Your goodness and called us to be 
faithful.
  In that same spirit, help us to relish what is right and always to 
rejoice in the consolation that You give us.
  Grant eternal rest to our colleague, Senator Edmund Muskie, and grant 
consolation to his family.
  Strengthen us with Your grace and Your wisdom, for You are God 
forever and ever. Amen.

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