[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7163]
[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 the glory. Before all 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:
  Almighty God, we give You thanks for the many and varied ways You 
have blessed the men and women who serve in the Senate. We ask now 
Lord, that they may do Your will in all things and so remain close to 
You. Lord, Your presence is found where unity and love prevail; grant 
that they may strive to work together in harmony and peace.
  We acknowledge that God is the strength and protector of His people; 
grant Lord to the Members of the Senate the strength and courage they 
need to serve the people of the United States.
  Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

                          ____________________