[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8512]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following 
prayer:
  Lord God, now that spring is upon us, teach us the deepest meanings 
of spring break.
  We know that these holidays throughout the ages spoke to people in 
mystical and religious terms. Even in modern society, days are set 
aside for religious observance.
  Members of the House of Representatives, even though they are not 
assembled here in this Chamber this next week, still need our prayers. 
While working back home across this Nation in their districts, they 
work at relationships. In listening to people back home, they obtain 
reaction to the acts of Congress. They have the opportunity to teach 
and explain the work of legislation and learn of even deeper needs and 
concerns of citizens. Some Members will be focused on government's 
relationship to industry or educational concerns, and some will travel 
to strengthen foreign relations. We pray for them and their families.
  Lord, spring break has come to mean different things to different 
people in our day. For some it means travel to Washington or other 
historical or beautiful places. Perhaps to be with relatives or visit 
old friends. For some it means spring cleaning, or spring planting.
  For all it would seem the time of renewal in relationships, whether 
in family, friends, the home, or the earth. But most of all a renewed 
and deeper relationship with You, Almighty God, in whom and through 
whom all else holds together. Amen.

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