[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13397]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
  Let us pray.
  O God of creation, while the brightest human minds painstakingly 
uncover the intricate fringes of Thy handiwork, we recognize that the 
proper attitude before Thee is not arrogance and self-satisfied 
cleverness but humility and wonder, for the ultimate question is not 
how, but who, since this mysterious gift of human life with its flawed 
grandeur, dissatisfied searching, and spiritual promptings point to a 
Giver who has yet something better in mind.
  We come to Thee as recipients, entrusted with all that we have and 
are. Our gifts are different and disparate, yet Thou hast dealt with us 
all equally--in the measure of trust shown us, in the measure of 
responsibility for using what we are briefly given, and in the measure 
of commendation we shall receive if found faithful.
  Lord God, teach us that in Thine economy none is an outright owner, 
but all are temporary stewards. We enter the world with nothing but the 
precious gift of life. We leave it with the character we fashioned by 
our use of the time, talents, and possessions with which we are 
entrusted. All we take to Thee is the person we have become.
  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto 
wisdom--Psalm 90:12.
  O Lord, grant such wisdom to the Members of this Senate that in 
leading they may be divinely led, that in taking counsel together, they 
may be instructed individually by a truth-quickened conscience, and as 
they share in enacting the laws of time, they may do so in the light of 
eternity. So, bless and give grace to each one. In the power of Thy 
Spirit we pray. Amen.

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