[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3195]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today's prayer will be offered by our guest 
Chaplain, Father John Ryan, St. Brendan Catholic Church, Ormond Beach, 
FL.
  The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
  Gracious and Creating God, before time began, You loved us. Before we 
were born, You knew us. You imagined us, then created us in Your holy 
image. From the beginning of time we were Your people, and through time 
You have been our Loving Father.
  Blessed are You, Lord, Father of the universe and blessed is Your 
holy Name. Bless the work we do this day and the work yet to be done in 
these Chambers.
  Gracious Father, without You nothing is worthwhile, nothing is of 
value. Grant to us and to our endeavors Your gracious and holy 
blessing. Keep us one Nation under Your loving gaze. Make us mindful of 
those who find life difficult and move us to be their voice, their 
advocates. May we always labor toward liberty and justice, dignity and 
goodness.
  Blessed be God. Blessed be the nation whose God is the Lord both now 
and forever. Amen.

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