[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S9033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest chaplain, Dr. Clarence G. Newsome, dean of chapel, Howard 
University School of Divinity, Washington, DC, offered the following 
prayer:
  May we pray.
  Almighty God, by whose permissive will the counsels of men and women 
are privileged to convene, we pause at the outset of a new day to 
acknowledge Your power and dominion and to proclaim Your goodness. We 
call upon Your grace to consecrate this hallowed Chamber so that Your 
power and goodness may guide the affairs of state to which these 
honored and honorable men and women will this day attend. Grant that 
they may see a vision of government for the people and by the people, 
in which the people are daily inspired by the law of the land to live, 
work, and play together according to a higher law: the law of love.
  By the power of Your love, empower them to discharge the duties of 
their office in the confidence that they neither labor in vain nor 
without the abiding appreciation of a grateful republic. Be the source 
of refuge and peaceful release for them, the members of their staffs, 
and especially their families who sacrifice much so that they may 
dutifully serve the common good with dedication, devotion, and 
distinction.
  Fill them with strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Amen.

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