[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 5 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest Chaplain, Dr. Russell F. Blowers, offered the following 
prayer:
  Let's pray together.
  O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, apart from 
Whom there is no authority or power or wisdom, we bow before You in 
worship and praise as the Senate begins this new day.
  We are not here to brief You on world affairs or to ask for Your 
leading and then do it our own way as if You do not exist. You are not 
a weak and absent deity out in deep space but a Sovereign God who is 
here to monitor what is said and done in this room today. You are the 
audience. Give these honorable men and women the ability to perform 
with integrity as they advise, consent and dissent for the good of the 
country. Let them be encouraged by some humbling victory or exalting 
defeat.
  We repent of our personal and national transgressions, for we have 
all sinned and fallen short of Your glory. Forgive us and heal us for 
``righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.''
  Thank you for Your loving kindness and for Your extravagant blessings 
upon our beloved land.
  Today, may the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts 
be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our rock and our Redeemer. Through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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