[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 211 (Friday, December 22, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H7003]
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:
  Gentle God of love and compassion, we approach You this morning, 
emerging from the longest night of the year. Far from just an 
astronomical event, this seemingly endless midwinter night serves as a 
painful reminder of the unrelenting shadow of loss and loneliness 
endured by so many, their grief made even more painful when held in 
stark contrast to the joyful strains of holiday songs and festive 
gatherings.
  O come, O come Emmanuel, God with us, and ransom these hearts held 
captive to sadness and suffering. Hear their mournful cries pleading 
for Your mercy, desperate for Your salvation. Disperse the gloomy 
clouds of their nights of terror and trauma.
  May the people who walk in darkness in this holiday season--in our 
own homes and our communities and across the globe--see Your great 
light. Those who live in a land overshadowed by death's devastation, on 
them may Your light shine.
  Wonderful counselor, Almighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of 
Peace, establish Your truth and justice on the Earth. May Your kingdom 
reign and of Your peace may there be no end.
  In Your sovereign name we pray to You this day.
  Amen.

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