[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15012]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
  Let us pray.
  O God, two centuries and 29 years ago this week, You called our 
Founding Fathers to set in writing the Declaration of Independence. 
Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this document stand as a 
beacon before all peoples.
  And now, Lord God, You remind us to call unto You and that You will 
answer and tell us great and mighty things, which we do not know. You 
truly are our refuge and strength and ever-present help in trouble. 
These Senators assembled in this Chamber want wisdom and help in 
preparing for the next generation to continue this freedom of our 
generation. Any prayer that we pray begins with You and floods into our 
being, providing courage to come into Your presence with the assurance 
that You will answer.
  So come, Eternal God, and ignite us once again with the brand plucked 
from the fire to speak, to lead, and to give vision to those to come.
  Thank You for holding us accountable in decisions we make here today 
that grant liberty and justice for all, and thank You for giving us 
wills of iron and hearts of tenderness, determination and compassion, 
stubbornness and forgiveness as Your truth marches on. Amen.

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