[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 23158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest Chaplain, Father Paul Lavin, offered the following prayer:
  In the book of Tobit we hear:
  Thank God! Give Him the praise and glory. Before all the living, 
acknowledge the many good things He has done for you, by blessing and 
extolling His name in song. Before all men, honor and proclaim God's 
deeds, and do not be slack in praising Him. A king's secret it is 
prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made 
known. Praise them with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its 
way to you. Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is 
almsgiving accompanied by righteousness. A little with righteousness is 
better than abundance with wickedness.
  Let us Pray.
  Blessed are You, Lord God of mercy. You have given us a marvelous 
example of charity and the great commandment of love for one another. 
Send down Your blessings on these Your servants in the United States 
Senate. May they generously devote themselves to the good of our Nation 
and to helping others. When they are called on in times of need, let 
them faithfully serve You and their neighbor.
  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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