[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 873]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  Father of eternal light and unconditional love, You inspire and bring 
to fulfillment every good intention. Be with us as the Winter Olympic 
games unfold before the world in Salt Lake City tonight.
  Protect and guard the athletes of 77 nations as they gather. Keep 
them healthy in mind and body. Shield them from injury, threat of 
violence, or any personal harm. May our Nation with all its care and 
security plans bring friendship and a spirit of peace to the games by 
extending a gracious gift of hospitality to all foreign visitors. 
Athletes may make history in competition, but may all transcend the 
moment of victory and nationalism through personal excellence, 
precision, beauty, attitude and thus reveal the wonder of our humanity.
  May all who participate or watch the games be touched by Your spirit 
and be recreated as children of light who hold promise and bring hope 
to the world.
  In all our human efforts to achieve highest goals, even sports, may 
we be so blessed by You, O Lord, that we come to recognize in one 
another and even in ourselves a fire within--Your fire, Your image 
within us--both now and forever. Amen.

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