[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 5752]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Reverend Cindy Baskin, Pastor, St. James Episcopal Church, 
Potomac, Maryland, offered the following prayer:
  Almighty and everliving God:
  You are the source of all wisdom and understanding, the source of all 
justice and righteousness. By Your gracious will, You have instituted 
governing bodies on Earth and granted them authority to rule.
  We therefore beseech You, as this legislative body gathers this day, 
to guide and direct these elected representatives, enable them to seek 
first Your honor and glory in all their deliberations. Keep them ever-
mindful of their calling to serve this Nation. Guide them in the ways 
of righteousness, that they may enact such laws for the welfare of our 
country, as shall please You.
  Help each one, as they struggle for justice and truth, to confront 
one another without hostility or bitterness. Foster among them a spirit 
of mutual forbearance and respect. Take away any arrogance, anger, or 
self-interest, which infecting human hearts creates unnecessary 
divisions. Break down all walls that separate and empower this House to 
work together through any struggles and confusion so that Your purposes 
on Earth may be accomplished. Guide, we pray, each of these 
Representatives to perceive what is right and grant each one both the 
courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it.
  We now commend this body and this Nation into Your merciful care, O 
Lord, that being guided by Your providence we may dwell secure in Your 
peace and live to Your honor and glory. Amen.

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