[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9614]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  Captain Leroy Gilbert, CHC, USN, The Chaplain of the Coast Guard, 
offered the following prayer:
  Eternal God, before transacting the business of this country, we the 
people of the United States of America reverently pause to invoke Your 
blessings and presence upon the Representatives and the proceedings of 
this House today.
  Lord, we are most grateful for our system of government inspired into 
existence by Your divine principles of humanity, service, freedom, 
equality and justice for all.
  May Members of this governing body propose, debate, chisel and bring 
forth bills and ideas that are pleasing in Your sight and serve as a 
beacon of light to other nations of what can be accomplished by a 
country whose motto is ``In God We Trust.''
  Lord, we live in a rapidly changing world and we are faced with 
challenges that compel our country to make changes. Nevertheless, grant 
us the wisdom that our first response to a changing world will not be, 
``How should it be changed?'' but ``What do we stand for that should 
never change,'' and then figure out how to change everything else.
  As the decisionmakers in Congress contemplate the best course of 
action for the future of America, may the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14 be 
planted in their minds and hearts.
  ``If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, 
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will 
I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their 
land.''
  May God bless America. In Thy name we pray. Amen.

                          ____________________