[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7920]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Reverend Roy Smith, Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist 
Church, Little Rock, Arkansas, offered the following prayer:
  Our holy and gracious God, we are grateful to be here in this place 
today. These Representatives have been entrusted by the citizens of 
this country to govern our Nation. In the midst of a world of rapid 
change, of challenge, of diversity and need, this is a solemn and 
daunting task. It is an extraordinary responsibility and challenge 
which calls for courage and conviction, integrity and honor, 
understanding and compassion, intelligence and commitment.
  As these Members of Congress gather today to do the important work 
before them, O God, in Your grace draw near. Send us Your compassion, 
Your courage, Your wisdom, Your strength and Your understanding. May 
the will and work of this House be carried out so the people of this 
land may live in freedom and hope and share in your bountiful 
blessings. May our Nation be a beacon of freedom and hope in the world 
today.
  We pray in Your holy name. Amen.

                          ____________________