[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2262-H2263]
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 of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation, only You 
can speak into the crisis that has descended upon the Middle East. Only 
Your peace can cure the warring madness that has erupted in this land 
so many call holy.
  Let the hatred that has severed the region, intensifying the profound 
animosity between Israel and Palestine, and in turn swallowing up the 
cities of Gaza, Tel Aviv, Ramallah, and Ashkelon to name but a few, be 
supplanted by acts of mercy and overcome by deeds of justice.

[[Page H2263]]

  Touch the hearts of each offender, that all would be purified of 
their thirst for vengeance. Speak into the souls of all aggressors, 
that they would renounce their prejudice.
  Abide with the countless victims of violent attacks, with the 
innocents held hostage in the crossfire of escalating hostilities. 
Grant comfort and sanctuary to those who have fled their homes in fear. 
Receive the refugees into the safety of Your welcoming embrace. Make 
way in the desert that the hungry would receive food.
  Let all Christians, Muslims, and Jews put away anger, wrath, malice, 
and slander. May each find a renewed spirit of forgiveness and 
understanding in the knowledge that all bear the image of You, our 
Creator.
  For the sake of Your kingdom, may each of us, politician and patriot, 
voter or victim, be agents of Your purpose, that Your peace and justice 
would, once again, rule this land.
  In the redemption of Your name, we pray.
  Amen.

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