[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 8675]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
  Eternal God, we are creatures of a day, yet we thank Thee for 
touching our lives with eternity, endowing us with insight as well as 
sight, conscience as well as cleverness, spiritual responsiveness as 
well as physical reflexes. Forgive us whenever we deny the ``better 
angels'' of our nature, thus depriving ourselves of divine guidance and 
help.
  We need Thy help now as a nation of nations, peerless in military 
power and economic potential, that we do not fall into the temptations 
of overweening superiority or self-centered isolationism. We know from 
this Republic's foundation, recognizing divine endowments received, 
that righteousness alone exalts a nation and where this vision is 
lacking, people cast off restraint and perish. Save us from such an end 
through corruption of the spirit. Teach us that we are alive for a 
purpose and that popularity in the world does not necessarily equate 
with divine approval. May we learn individually and collectively from 
the words of the old hymn:

     Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
     Some will flatter, some will slight;
     Cease from man, and look above thee:
     Trust in God and do the right.

  Lord God, we need Thy help daily to discern the right. Knowing how 
mixed human motives can be, keep this Nation ever facing toward good 
ends of liberation from oppression, humanitarian help, others' self-
determination and lasting peace. In this sinful world, grant wisdom to 
those creating necessary firebreaks of lesser evil to contain and 
extinguish the greater, since fervent wishing will not make it so.
  Comfort and bless all whose suffering is part of the price of peace. 
Give grace to this Senate as they make decisions that will affect many, 
and grasp each opportunity for good afforded by the sacrifices made. 
Amen.

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