[Page H4441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 PRAYER

  Reverend J. David Carter, Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, 
Chattanooga, Tennessee, offered the following prayer:
  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 
amen.
  Almighty God and Father of all the nations, as we stand in this great 
Chamber of worldly power, we humbly acknowledge that the dome of this 
Capitol stands beneath the dome of the heavens, which You created and 
which You continue to rule in truth and justice.
  We are grateful for the many gifts of Your providence that You shower 
down upon our people from on high. We also humbly acknowledge that all 
our actions take place in view of Your sovereign omniscience. ``For 
there is nothing hidden that will not become visible and nothing secret 
that will not be known and come to light.'' Therefore, we invoke this 
day Your blessing upon those who labor beneath this dome and who have 
been entrusted with the sacred duty of governing our Nation.
  Banish from our hearts all temptations to greed and envy. Move our 
hearts to the virtues that will bring lasting happiness. Keep us 
steadfast in the pursuit of the common good. Make us ever mindful of 
the shortness of our days and make us always desirous of standing 
before You with integrity. Invoking Your mercy upon our failings and 
Your grace upon the work of our hands, we ask this through Christ our 
Lord.
  Amen.
  In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.

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