[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 101 (Thursday, June 21, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H6831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page H6831]]

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                        House of Representatives

  The House met at 10 a.m.
  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  In the book of Judges, Lord God, the parable of the trees is told to 
convince Your people they do not want a monarchy. Perhaps the same 
parable has another meaning for people today living in this 
constitutional democracy.
  In the parable, each tree which wishes to be king over the other 
trees excuses itself from leadership. The olive tree is reluctant to 
offer its rich oil; the fig tree, its good fruit; the vine, its 
intoxicating wine. So all the trees plead with the buckhorn to have 
authority over all the other trees. But the buckhorn has nothing to 
offer but its own shadow.
  Lord, may each Member of Congress offer his or her very best to the 
work of governance. This awesome responsibility does cost them dearly. 
That is why, as Your people, Lord, they need our prayer.
  If they do not offer all the gifts of mind and heart they are called 
to sacrifice for this government by the people, they can only cast a 
long shadow over a believable democracy.
  So speak, Lord, to Your servants and allow Your gifts to flow across 
this Nation now and forever.
  Amen.

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