[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17833]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The Chaplain, Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, offered the following prayer:
  Dear God, we echo the Psalmist's prayer as we begin this day: ``Be 
merciful to us and bless us, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that 
Your way may be known on earth.''--Psalm 67:1-2.
  Father, You have already answered so much of this prayer. You have 
been merciful in the abundance of Your blessings and Your unmerited 
grace. You have forgiven us when we have failed, and You have given us 
new beginnings. Most of all, we praise You for Your smiling face that 
gives us confidence and courage. We are moved by the reminder that in 
Scripture the term ``Your face'' is synonymous with Your presence.
  Praise You, Lord, for Your desire to be with us and to share in the 
struggle for progress. You give strength and power when we seek Your 
will and desire to do Your desires. We humble ourselves as we begin 
this day. We want nothing to block Your blessing. We relinquish any 
self-serving spirit or agenda that would diminish our ability to be 
blessed or to be a blessing to our beloved Nation. Give us clear minds 
to receive Your guidance and courageous voices to speak Your truth. 
Amen.

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