[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today's opening prayer will be offered by 
guest Chaplain Rev. Dr. Charles W. Starks, district superintendent of 
the Wytheville, VA, district of the United Methodist Church.
  The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
  Let us pray.
  As we pray, we remember the wisdom of Proverbs 24:10, ``If you falter 
in times of adversity, your strength is too small.''
  O loving and eternal God, we are humbled and grateful for the 
privilege of gathering here in Your presence. We lift up to You our 
President, Barack Obama, and Vice President, Joe Biden. We lift to you, 
O God, each elected, appointed, and employed public servant at each 
level of government across these United States.
  And this day, O God, we particularly intercede on behalf of the women 
and men of this Senate. We pray for these Senators to stand in unity of 
purpose, like great and sturdy trees in the face of the swirling and 
perilous storms of this day. We ask for the roots of their strength, 
courage, and wisdom to be nourished in Your abundant grace, even the 
grace of Jesus, who reminds us to treat others in the same manner we 
desire to be treated. From that rich grace, O God, allow these Senators 
the privilege of bearing good fruit which will be a blessing to the 
people of this great land and Your entire good Earth.
  O God, we lift this prayer to You, our Creator, Redeemer, and 
Sustainer who loves us this day and for all times. Amen.

                          ____________________