[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 60 (Monday, April 5, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Margaret Grun Kibben, offered the 
following prayer:
  Gracious God, we grieve yet again for the loss of one of our own, 
another brave member of the Capitol Police, William ``Billy'' Evans. We 
pray for his family and friends, for those who served alongside him, 
and all those who so deeply feel his passing.
  On Friday, many Christians acknowledged the sacrifice You made in 
Your love for us. How profound it is that on that same day, Officer 
Evans sacrificed his own life for the love of his country and the 
defense of democracy. There is no greater love.
  Dare we, God, pray also for souls like Noah Green, whose life was 
tormented by mental illness and depression. Sadly, there are countless 
others who wrestle with these afflictions and uncontrollable rage, who 
believe that life is only a war to be fought. Lord, even in our anger, 
may we find a way to pray for those who would turn their wrath on us.
  God, we desire atonement for these atrocities and for the injustices 
brought upon the Capitol, and we need answers for their prevention. 
Hear our prayers for wisdom and courage. May we lay down our fear, 
anger, frustration, and deep sadness before Your throne of grace, that 
Your divine judgment would prevail; that Yours would be the last word; 
and that Your peace and justice would reign in this place, in our 
lives, and in this country.
  We pray in the abiding love of Your holy name.
  Amen.

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