[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 13, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  ``I love you O Lord, my strength.'' David prays this with such great 
abandonment.
  Often when we pray, O Lord, it is with routine and out of daily 
concerns. But when overwhelmed with distress and responsibilities, we 
sometimes approach David's depths and cry out that You be our strength.
  In this age of information and as a powerful Nation, we can easily be 
caught up in our own agenda and see no further; foolish enough to think 
that we can accomplish great deeds on our own.
  But without You we can do nothing; nothing of lasting value, nothing 
of true significance, nothing that will touch the people around us and 
move them deeply.
  Help us now, O Lord, as a Nation and as this governing body.
  Shield us from moments of crisis and distress. Instead, renew in us 
the love You evidence in our history. Allow us to be so overwhelmed by 
Your loving presence today, that with all our hearts we may pray:
  ``I love You, O Lord, my strength'' now and forever. Amen

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