[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11527]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today's opening prayer will be offered by 
guest Chaplain Rev. Steven N. Ailes, Main Street United Methodist 
Church, Peru, IN.
  The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
  Let us pray.
  Gracious God, Lord of all that is good and beautiful and perfect, we 
come to pray for Your blessing upon this gathering of U.S. Senators. We 
ask for the guidance of Your holy spirit upon the work they do for this 
one Nation under God. We pray for Your inspiration in their hearts and 
minds and souls. We ask for Your grace in their work and deliberation, 
that this might be an extension of Your sustaining presence in our life 
together as citizens of heaven and of these United States of America.
  While we pray for these elected representatives of our Nation, we 
remember the families and staff who are such an integral part of their 
service to our Nation and to the world. May all be touched by Your love 
and respect for all people; from all nations, in all conditions, in all 
Your creation.
  O Holy God, be with us all in these moments, that our work may be 
directed by Your peace--a peace that surpasses mere human understanding 
and encompasses care and compassion for the entire world. May You lead 
these Your servants with a passion for justice and righteousness, 
wisdom and insight, mercy and love; with strength to do that which is 
right and honorable and in accord with Your holy way.
  God, bless America, and may Your will be done in this gathering and 
in our lives. Amen.

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