[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 31, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H4497]
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:
  Holy and eternal God, in whose care time finds its meaning and life 
its boundaries, we pray for this moment in time when our adversaries 
have proven callous in their understanding of the sanctity of human 
life and their actions have betrayed their hubris by inciting violence 
and inflaming fear and panic.
  We pray Your intercession on behalf of all those who face the harsh 
cruelty of terrorism, who cling desperately for a chance at freedom, 
and those who can but only watch their friends and family fall prey to 
the inhumanity that threatens to extinguish all hope of reunion.
  We pray Your protection over those who, this day, give selflessly of 
their efforts and even their lives that this kind of savagery would not 
win, who believe that an act of kindness, a commitment to service, and 
a resolute purpose, can hold back the tides of hatred and 
heartlessness.
  And to those who grieve of loss of precious life and longed-for 
liberty, we pray Your tender mercies. Because of Your great love, which 
transcends all measure of malice, may they not be consumed. May Your 
compassion never fail them. Be their portion as they await Your 
salvation. We offer these prayers in Your merciful name.
  Amen.

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