[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H12177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, Rev. James David Ford, D.D., offered the following 
prayer:
  Let us pray using the words of the beloved hymn by Isaac Watts:

     O God, our help in ages past,
     Our hope for years to come,
     Our shelter from the stormy blast,
     And our eternal home.

  We pray, gracious God, that Your blessing will be with those who seek 
to do their daily work in ways that help other people. As the words of 
the hymn remind, we know that we can place our trust in Your grace and 
in Your goodness for Your mercy gives us hope and our eternal home. So 
bless each one and strengthen us with your abiding hand.
  The Lord bless us and keep us,
  The Lord make His face shine upon us and be gracious unto us,
  The Lord lift up His countenance upon us and give us peace. Amen.

                          ____________________