[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 27123]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest Chaplain, Bishop Sharon A. Brown Christopher, United 
Methodist Church of Illinois, offered the following prayer:
  Let us pray.
  O God, our foundation that anchors us in stormy times, our hope when 
all doors seem to close around us, and our light that awakens within us 
courage to move compassionately toward our neighbor, we give You thanks 
for Your abiding presence in our lives.
  Amid the complexities and anxieties of these days, we ask that You 
open our ears to hear with clarity the cries of Your human family, 
especially the children. Open our eyes to see Your vision of life's 
unity in rich diversity. Open our hearts so that we may in our actions 
transcend all that keeps us from living lives of generosity, trusting 
and following You, the source of all life.
  May our work today and every day reflect Your intentions for our 
world. We pray this in Your name. Amen.

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