[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 113 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          A PRAYER FOR AMERICA

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                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2008

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Reverend 
Bill Goodnight of First Presbyterian church of Lillington, NC. On the 
230th birthday of this great Nation, Reverend Goodnight expressed his 
patriotism with a most fitting prayer. His prayer embodies the values 
on which the United States of America was founded. These are the same 
values that we as Americans still hold near and dear to our hearts 
today, I would like to share this prayer with my colleagues and my 
fellow Americans.

       ``Eternal God we come before you on this birthday of our 
     nation 230th birthday of our Nation. We come with praises 
     upon our lips for your love and mercy, which makes itself 
     know throughout the earth. We come with praises for your 
     mighty creative energy that hung the stars and spun the 
     planets and for your still small voice that speaks in the 
     silence of the canyons and booms out across the oceans waves. 
     For those with eyes to see and wars to hear your spirit is 
     seen dancing upon our golden meadows, your song is heard in 
     the cry of the bald eagle, your presence is felt in the 
     deepest canyon and the highest mountain . . .
       Yet we confess eternal creator that we have too often 
     sought your blessing without begging for your transforming 
     power that calls us into a nation of servanthood in this and 
     every hour. We confess that we are quick to proclaim that you 
     are on our side without checking to make sure that we are on 
     your side.
       Therefore, we celebrate with thanksgiving this Fourth of 
     July, not only the great provisions of this land but your 
     patience toward us when we forget that to whom much is given 
     much is expected. We thank you for your protection from 
     pestilence and the horrors of famine known to much of this 
     world. We thank you for a stable government which works to 
     guarantee our freedoms and provides us with protection 
     against those who would do us harm. We are particularly 
     grateful this night for our leaders that are here with us as 
     a reminder that by your will we truly are a government of the 
     people and by the people.
       Our strongest petitions this night we reserve those brave 
     men and women who have obeyed the orders of their commander 
     in chief and have stepped into harms way in distant land, 
     particularly Afghanistan and Iraq. We cry for the widows, 
     widowers, and orphans left in the wake of the current 
     conflict on both sides of this war. Let not our tears be 
     empty but grant to us the fortitude and resolve as a 
     community that we might nurture those who have sacrificed so 
     much on our account. May those who have risked so much in 
     fulfilling their military obligations find us a united 
     community in support of them and their dependents. May we 
     walk with them and their loves ones on the road of life 
     offering the well-deserved hand of friendship and fellowship. 
     We know that nothing can make up for what we have sent them 
     to endure, but may our overwhelming gratitude and respect 
     offer them comfort.
       Help us to live our lives with grateful hearts, teach us 
     how to be there for each other when tragedy strikes, and give 
     us plenty of opportunities to rejoice with one another when 
     good comes our neighbor's way.
       In closing, we ask not only your blessing upon us but for 
     your guidance and inspiration that we might reflect and be a 
     source for the world of the blessings we seek for ourselves. 
     Alleluia Amen.''

  Madam Speaker, Reverend Goodnight is an exemplary figure of 
patriotism, leadership, dedication, and commitment to this great 
Nation.

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