[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 5814]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  ``Lord, my refuge, my stronghold, my God in whom I trust.''
  When the winds of distress swirl around us, Lord, or unsettling times 
demand determination, Members of Congress, as any of us in America, 
want to take refuge. We may seek refuge in consultation as we look for 
support from others. Or we may be tempted to blame others for our 
troubles. Rather than take refuge in excuses or in the shadow of 
others, we need to stand resolutely ourselves, claim You, O Lord, as 
our sure refuge, and act responding to Your guidance.
  When as a Nation or as individuals our security is shaken or our 
vulnerability revealed, we may, like Adam, want to hide. We may be 
tempted to think the firing power of weapons is our greatest strength, 
or the power of money will protect us. But in all the battles that are 
fought, You alone, O God, are a lasting stronghold.
  So it is: in God we trust now and forever. Amen.

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