[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6272]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 PRAYER

  Dr. Alan N. Keiran, Chief of Staff, Office of the Senate Chaplain, 
offered the following prayer:
  Lord God, creator of heaven and Earth, as we open this legislative 
day, we pause to consider the grandeur of Your creative genius. We are 
struck by the vastness of space and the countless heavenly bodies that 
light the night sky. Likewise, we observe with awe and wonder Your 
magnificent handiwork in the advent of springtime, often being moved to 
worship You for the botanic beauty we are privileged to enjoy. To You 
alone, O God most high, belong all praise and glory.
  We pray for Your grace to guide the Members and former Members of 
this body on this very special day, as they serve those who have 
elected them to public office and the Nation we all love.
  We also pray for all those who are attending the Pontiff's mass this 
morning, that they would sense Your presence in life-changing ways. May 
Your spirit empower people of faith to seek You with all their hearts 
and minds.
  We pause as well to pray for those in harm's way and their families. 
Be with those wearing the cloth of our Nation in the long watches of 
the night in places far from home. Bring them solace in times of deep 
loneliness and hope for a joyous homecoming.
  May we all know Your peace that passes understanding, Your hope that 
sustains us in times of trial, and Your love that fills the deepest 
recesses of our hearts.
  We pray in the Name that is above every name. Amen.

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