[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4663]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  ``O the happiness of the heavenly Alleluia sung in security, in fear 
of no adversity!'' These words of Your servant Augustine from the fifth 
century sound melodious, as from another world, when read in the 
springtime of our conflicted lives.
  Lord, many Americans wonder if we have lost an innocence never to be 
regained. In the midst of war and unpredictable terrorism, evil 
sometimes seems more creative than goodness. Fear not only reveals the 
most fragile ones around us, uncertainty can cause the strong to be 
hesitant and slow down a Nation's progress.
  Reassure us by Your presence, Lord. Out of compassion for Your 
people, grant a glimpse of Your glory so that hopefulness springs 
eternal and confidence is restored.
  With hearts fixed on lasting values, give the Members of Congress 
practical wisdom to address the substantive issues which truly affect 
the lives of their constituents. May their work together build signs of 
hope that will move this country into a bright future.
  Amen.

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