[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 188 (Monday, December 5, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8735]
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:
  God, our creator, from the beginning of time You have shown mercy to 
Your people. You have restored the fortunes of those who, time and 
again, have wasted Your bounty. You have forgiven Your people who over 
and over, turn their will from Yours. You have set aside Your wrath and 
spared us, yet again, the full measure of Your anger.
  Like children, we sheepishly return to You hoping that You will still 
show Your love to us. Feeble are our oaths to follow Your will for us, 
and yet we dare to ask that You save us from our mistakes. O God, our 
savior, we desperately hope that You will put away Your displeasure and 
revive us again.
  Despite our shortcomings and disingenuous ways, draw us near to You 
that we may rejoice again in You. Cause us to pause and listen for Your 
word. Inspire us to recommit ourselves to believe again in Your 
promises. Be gracious unto us, and give us what is good, that our land, 
our work, and our lives will yield a harvest befitting Your mercy.
  May faithfulness spring forth from the Earth and may Your 
righteousness go with us and guide our steps.
  In your saving name we pray.
  Amen.

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