[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5244]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
  Dear Father who is in heaven, You are a God of justice and grace, 
power and love, and above all else--freedom. It is You who puts a 
hunger for freedom in each of our hearts. It is You who sent Your Son 
to die that we might be set free. It is You who guided America's 
founders to build on the firm foundation of freedom. And it is You who 
has given us gifted leaders determined to protect that freedom. Thank 
you!
  Father, You know these are difficult days. The weight of leadership 
rests heavy on the shoulders of the women and men of this Senate. So, 
we pray for them this morning. Please encourage them. Be very present 
here. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, please empower, renew, and 
strengthen them. In so doing may these women and men walk and not 
faint, run and not be weary. May they mount up with wings like eagles 
today.
  Similarly, we pray with the Apostle Paul that You would give them not 
a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power--Your power, love--Your love 
and self control--Your self control. We pray that these three qualities 
would be here in abundance today.
  Lord, because of You we approach the future with confidence and great 
hope. May Your Kingdom come, may Your will be done in this Chamber and 
throughout the earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

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