[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10493]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  We bless You and praise You, Lord God, source of all authority on 
heaven and earth. This weekend in worship service and at family meals, 
we gathered to thank You and pray for our fathers. As You guide and 
protect this Nation through the governance of the President and 
Congress, so You strengthen and direct family life in this great 
country through parental authority. Shape the men of this House to be 
models of leadership, but most of all to reflect Your presence in being 
good fathers. Surround them with love so that they may manifest 
understanding and seek every opportunity to strengthen character in 
their children.
  Last Wednesday evening members of this Chamber expressed sorrow over 
the fact that the United States is the world leader in fatherless 
families. They prayed for responsible fatherhood in themselves and 
throughout this Nation, encouraging greater involvement of fathers in 
the lives of their children.
  Lord, through deeper love and faithfulness in family relationships, 
renew lasting values in this society. Deepen belief in Your power, in 
commitments made, and relationships given us. Provide and protect 
children always. Free them from fear and all forms of abuse and 
manipulation now and forever. Amen.

                          ____________________