[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H2123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  Reverend Adrian Condit, Baptist Pastor, retired, Ceres, California, 
offered the following prayer:
  Our Heavenly Father, as we come into Your holy presence this morning, 
we come, first of all, to give You praise and thanks for Your abundant 
grace that has abounded to us. We thank You as individuals, for we have 
all tasted of Your kindness to us through our Lord Jesus Christ in our 
homes throughout our great Nation. For over 200 years, Your hand of 
mercy has been extended to us many times, in war, through our social 
ills, and in times of economic distress. And today we stand at the 
threshold, Our Father, of turning the corner into the 21st Century.
  As I stand here in this hallowed place, I feel so very small and so 
very humble, but I know that I am praying to the Creator of heaven and 
earth. I am praying for these men and women who stand before me here 
today, for they have the power to make decisions that affect people's 
lives, and sometimes change their lives forever; and if anyone ever 
needed wisdom from above, it is these who stand here in this House and 
transact business as the government of the people and for the people. I 
pray, my Father, for each of them to be very sensitive to Your presence 
and to Your leadership in their lives.
  I especially pray for my own son, Congressman Gary Condit. Father, 
You know that I am very proud of him, and ask for Your special touch 
upon his life.
  As we write the last chapter of this century, may we not forget the 
words of Our Loving Lord, when He said, ``A house divided against 
itself shall not stand.''
  I pray that we will see a state of unity in this House among both 
parties; that we may finish our task and be able to write a chapter of 
success and achievements that will usher in the new century, blessed by 
God Almighty, giving hope and life for our children, grandchildren and 
great grandchildren, and to as many generations for as long as time 
permits.
  May we be able to say with truth that we are one Nation, under God, 
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
  In the name of our Loving Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, I pray. 
Amen.

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