[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17991]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  Blessed are You, Lord God, of heaven and Earth.
  In these days of crisis and decision, cover this Nation and this 
government with Your spirit. Give all Americans discerning hearts, that 
we may live balanced lives.
  Free from fear and prejudice, restrain us from reacting to 
circumstances around us. Rather, guide each of us to be proactive in 
determined actions that lead to personal integrity and justice toward 
others.
  As a Nation and as persons, Lord, help us to balance our daily work 
with quiet reflection and deep conversations of profound listening. May 
everything we do lead us to deeper and lasting relationships.
  As we accept the contradictions and mystery of living in today's 
world, may we understand our own limitations and be sensitive to those 
around us. Let us share our gifts and our burdens with each other at 
this time when healing interactions are most needed.
  By prayer, Lord, enable us to act with determination and be ready to 
face the consequences of all our actions. If we uproot, help us to 
plant. When confronted, help us to be patient. May our commitment to 
both prayer and action in the midst of darkness lead us to the light 
that comes from You alone, now and forever.
  Amen.

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