[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 55 (Monday, May 6, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H2107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  The Reverend Dr. Ronald F. Christian, Evangelical Lutheran Church in 
America, Herndon, Virginia, offered the following prayer:
  Almighty God, the Psalmist reminds us all that the heavens proclaim 
Your glory and the firmament declares Your handiwork. We are reminded 
of that handiwork during these springtime days in the beauty and the 
colors of the blossoms which we cannot create but which we most 
certainly can enjoy.
  Bless, O God, the work of the many hands across this mighty land that 
break up the winter soil and plant the seeds that will become, by Your 
grace and goodness, food for our tables and sustenance for our bodies.
  Bless, O God, the work of those who teach and offer the opportunity 
of learning in classrooms and on practice fields of the schools and 
laboratories of this country so that children with inquisitive minds 
might be inspired by Your handiwork and so serve their neighbor better.
  But also, God bless, we pray, those who gather here this day, who, 
sharp of mind and quick of wit, are given the privilege of both 
protecting that handiwork and assisting humanity in its many needs.
  Remind us all again this day that it is by grace that we live, and so 
it is for mercy that we pray. Amen.

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