[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 167 (Thursday, October 12, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H5003]
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:
  Loving God, in this momentous time, when the events of the last week 
have disrupted so much, when unforeseen changes have caused upheaval in 
so many lives, and when the words and actions of both friends and foes 
have caused hurt and weakened bonds of trust, we confess our natural 
inclination to dig in and lash out against the turmoil and the people 
around us.
  We are reluctant to pray for what seems impossible, but we pray that 
You would cause our cynicism to be surrendered to courage. Let our 
despair be turned to hope. Let hate be substituted with love.
  Be merciful to us as we dare to make this profound change in our own 
attitudes. This love You ask us to share goes against our grain. We can 
only pray that You will abide in us and perfect Your love in us--a love 
that is patient and kind; a love that does not envy, does not boast, 
and is not proud. May our love not dishonor others, not be self-
seeking, or easily angered. May we keep no record of wrongs. May our 
love not delight in evil, but rejoice with the truth. May our love 
always protect, always trust, always hope, and always persevere.
  At this critical inflection point, may love be our aim.
  In Your loving name we pray.
  Amen.

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