[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16604]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
  Let us pray:
  Triumphant and holy God, ruler of Heaven and Earth, You have given to 
us the privilege of living in these unprecedented times. We know that 
our hope is vain when it is placed in humankind. Scripture cries aloud, 
``As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than 
your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts'' declares the Lord 
(Isaiah 55:9). Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord.
  May we listen for Your voice and learn, hear and obey You amid the 
competing pressures for our time. Our world will not thrive with 
pusillanimous leaders, bereft of the courage to speak and act for those 
things which are just and right in Your eyes. These uncommon days 
require leaders who will seek out Your vision, soak up Your wisdom, and 
rely upon Your strength for the rigorous task they face.
  May debate be lively and leavened with hope, may conversations uplift 
and encourage, and may the words spoken in this Chamber bring 
persistent honor to Your Name. Bless each Senator with Your mercy, Your 
peace, and Your abiding Spirit. Amen.

                          ____________________