[Page H1479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  Pastor Tony Perkins, Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, Greenwell 
Springs, Louisiana, offered the following prayer:
  Father, we thank You for today.
  I thank You for the men and women in this distinguished body, whom 
You have given the privilege of serving the people of this country. May 
they understand the unique, but fleeting, moment they occupy in the 
history of man.
  The challenges of our day are certainly many, and, as a result, the 
burden that those in this Chamber carry is very heavy. May they look to 
You as the Apostle James encouraged when we need the wisdom to face 
challenges and solve problems.
  As citizens of this country, we pray for them, that You will give 
them wisdom, wisdom which is from above.
  I ask that the Holy Spirit guide them like the pillar of fire and the 
cloud that led the children of Israel.
  I pray they will recognize and declare dependence upon You, governing 
with an understanding of the Psalmist's words: ``Blessed is the nation, 
whose God is the Lord.''
  In Jesus' name, we pray.
  Amen.

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