[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15339]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER IN AMERICA AND IN CONGRESS

  (Mr. NEUGEBAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, as we did today, 234 years ago Congress 
heard its first prayer as they opened their Congress. And I wanted to 
read that prayer this morning because I think it's a prayer for America 
and this Congress today:
  Be Thou present; O God of Wisdom, and direct the councils of this 
Honorable Assembly. Enable them to settle all things on the best and 
surest foundations; that the scene of blood may be speedily closed; 
that Order, Harmony, and Peace may be effectually restored, and Truth, 
and Justice, Religion, and Piety prevail and flourish among the people. 
Preserve the health of their bodies and the vigor of their minds. 
Shower down on them, and the millions they here represent, such 
temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world, and 
crown them with everlasting Glory in the world to come. All this we ask 
in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy son and Our 
Savior. Amen.
  Mr. Speaker, may prayer always be a part of this body, and may prayer 
always be a part of America.

                          ____________________