[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17417]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  In these uncertain times, when thousands of refugees have left their 
homeland in the search for peace, and so many of Your people immigrate 
for food, for a job, or for a better way of life for their children, 
the words of Ruth, the refugee in the Scriptures, echo in the aching 
hearts of so many in today's world.
  ``Wherever you go, I will go, wherever you stay, I will stay. Your 
people will be my people, and your God will be my God too. Wherever you 
die, I will die, and I will lie down beside you. I swear an oath before 
the Lord God: Nothing but death shall divide us.''
  Lord, such expression to faithfulness in a human relationship builds 
strong families and nations. Ruth's oath speaks of a deep commitment 
and creates hope for the future.
  Dear Lord, uphold the fragile life of refugees. Grant stability to 
marriages in this Nation. Sustain the families of Members of Congress 
and the military with patience, endurance and faithfulness.
  May Your eternal love and faithfulness sometimes hinted at in the 
human relationships of Your people be revealed to those who take flight 
even today. Amen.

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