[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  Our Father in Heaven, we come before You this day and every day in 
awe, gratitude, praise, humility, and prayer. This, indeed, is the day 
the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
  O Lord, instill in our hearts a love for You and for all Your 
creation. May we be ever mindful that it is from You that we derive our 
strength, our wisdom, our hope, and our conviction.
  May we be inspired by Your Word and reminded of Micah's admonition to 
act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord our God. May we 
never avert our eyes from the pain and suffering of others.
  O Lord, on this and every day, we seek Your guidance and direction. 
Watch over us and our leaders--indeed, the men and women in this room.
  We pray for the peace of Jerusalem as Psalms 122:6 urges us to do, 
and indeed for peace among all people of all nations. So that, instead 
of finding swords and weapons we will find only plowshares and pruning 
forks. We, the people, look to You, O God and to you, our leaders, to 
bring that day of peace about.
  May we be inspired to transcend our diversities and differences and 
be blessed from on high with the fulfillment of the ancient Biblical 
promise of Psalm 133, ``How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to 
dwell together in unity.'' God bless you and always be with you. Amen.

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