[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 26106]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  Rabbi Robert J. Orkand, Temple Israel, Westport, Connecticut, offered 
the following prayer:
  Let us pause in reverence before the gift of self, a gift freely 
given by God, the Creator. Let us pause in reverence before the mystery 
of the presence, the near and far reality of God. Let us pause in 
reverence before the gift of human purpose by which we would approach 
the mystery of God with deeds. Let us pause in reverence before the 
gift of life and the meaning of our being in this nexus of time's 
history. Let there be a divine reason for our presence so that the 
lives we touch may know a goodness and the days we live may be brighter 
for our compassion. And if our names be forgotten by those we serve, 
then at least may our works evoke an eternal amen.
  And let faith be to us life and joy, let it be a voice of renewing 
challenge to the best we have and may be; let faith be for us a 
dissatisfaction with things that are; let faith bid us serve more 
eagerly the true and the right. Let faith be the sorrow that opens for 
us the way of sympathy, understanding and service to suffering 
humanity. Let faith be to us the wonder and lure of that which is only 
partly known and understood. Let it be an awe in the glories of 
nature's majesty and beauty and a heart that rejoices in deeds of 
kindness and of courage. Let our faith be for us hope and purpose and 
the discovery of opportunities to express our best through our daily 
tasks, both large and small. And let us say, Amen.

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