[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 119 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page H7497]]

House of Representatives

  The House met at 10 a.m.
  The Reverend Dr. Ronald F. Christian, Director of Lutheran Social 
Services of Northern Virginia, Fairfax, Virginia, offered the following 
prayer:
  Almighty God, we acknowledge Your presence this day in our own 
personal lives and in our corporate soul as a Nation.
  Your steadfast love has been extended to all people for all time, 
especially those most in need of it.
  Your gracious mercy has been meted out evenly and fairly throughout 
all generations.
  Your nature of being righteous towards all is matched only by the 
demand from Your children for justice.
  The clarion call by the prophets of old ``to return to the Lord'' is 
always apropos.
  O God, may we be as free to give as we are desirous to receive the 
blessings of Your steadfast love and gracious mercy.
  May we all seek to do right, be just, and always walk humbly before 
Your all-encompassing righteousness.
  And, may we never turn a deaf ear to the trumpet call for an 
introspective look at who we are as persons and as a Nation.
  Bless, O God, the efforts of all Your people this day, in this room 
and in the workplaces of our land.
  Amen.

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