[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 23431]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  Lord of history and Creator of all, America's Thanksgiving prayer has 
grown mightily since first heard from Pilgrim voices.
  Our freedom of religion in this great land has expanded the 
expression of faith and gratitude of its people. Our freedom of 
assembly has gathered men, women, and children down through the years 
from different nations, languages, and from different economic and 
educational backgrounds to say in unison: ``Thank You, Lord.''
  Our freedom of speech is conditioned by our prayer to You converting 
hearts to speak with compassion and forgiveness to family and neighbor 
alike. Our freedom to bear arms is restricted by Your wisdom to defend 
and protect deeper values such as life and justice.
  Around tables throughout this land and the years, prayer has ushered 
in conversation, decisions, and the establishment of the great American 
experiment in government. Today, across the tables of this Chamber, we 
give You thanks for the 107th Congress of the United States of America.
  Dear Lord, may our Thanksgiving prayer this year renew deep gratitude 
in the hearts of all Americans for our many blessings. Deliver us Lord 
from fear, war, and prejudice of every kind, that we might truly live 
as Your free children giving You thanks and praise now and for ever. 
Amen.

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