[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2773]
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:
  Eternal God, when the Earth was without form and void, You spoke. 
Speak now into our world, a world bereft of peace and security in 
almost every corner of the globe. Speak now into the senseless conflict 
in Ukraine. Speak now into the meaningless disputes within communities 
here at home. Speak now into the confusion of tempers and tensions that 
transpire even among colleagues.
  Darkness has invaded the homes of the destitute who take cover in 
war-torn cities, enduring days without electricity. Ukrainians and all 
those who live in the deep of war's night long for Your words: ``Let 
there be light.'' Innocents who hide in the shadows of homelessness or 
abuse yearn to hear You to command the light to be separated from the 
darkness.
  Water's unleashed violence threatens whole regions of Ukraine after 
the destruction of dams and critical infrastructure. The shortage of 
water jeopardizes American homesteads and harvests. Send Your divine 
spirit to move over the face of these hostile and deficient waters and 
bring order into the chaos.
  In the newness of this day, God speak Your word into the void. Send 
Your spirit over the turmoil. Let there be light. Lord, in Your mercy, 
let it be so.
  In Your merciful name we pray.
  Amen.

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