[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15617]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Reverend George G. McDearmon, Ballston Lake Baptist Church, 
Ballston Lake, New York, offered the following prayer:
  O Lord God, the solitary, living God of creation, providence and 
redemption, Thou art great in wisdom, power and grace. Who would not 
fear Thee, O King of the nations? Indeed it is Thy due, our Judge, 
Lawgiver and King.
  We thank You for making and preserving us a Nation and for our 
heritage of liberty in law. By the person and work of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ, forgive us of our sins whereby we have failed our 
heritage, violated Your Law and forgotten You.
  Knowing that You establish all authority, may we prove faithful 
stewards of our solemn trust. May we be God-fearing men and women of 
moral courage and integrity. May we serve with a selfless, principled 
commitment to our Constitution and to the public good. May we wisely 
govern ourselves and the Nation.
  O triune God, we petition for Your guardian presence for all who 
serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. Crown their endeavors 
with success. God of all comfort, strengthen those grieving over the 
loss of loved ones who served aboard USS Cole. May the ``Determined 
Warrior'' again ply the oceans in their memory and our defense.
  We pray in the meritorious name of Jesus Christ, the Captain of 
salvation. Amen.

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