[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17069]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 prayer

  The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer:
  Let us pray.
  Eternal spirit, give this day to our Senators hope that survives 
after taking into account all the challenges and setbacks that might 
push thinking people toward pessimism. During this season of hope, 
remind them that faith may put them on the road to laudable 
accomplishments but hope must keep them there.
  May our patriotism be rooted in hope rather than in pride, so that we 
may not think of ourselves more highly than we should. Fill us with joy 
and peace so that by the power of Your Holy Spirit we may abound in 
hope, remembering that peace does not necessarily come through strength 
but strength usually comes through peace.
  We pray in Your sacred Name. Amen.

                          ____________________