Generous and loving God, on this National Day of Prayer, we come before you, stepping away briefly from the situations that vie for our attentions, setting aside, if only for a moment, our anxieties, to acknowledge your holy presence in our lives and in this room.
We confess not only our reluctance to approach you more often, but even more, we admit with contrition the things we have done that have kept us from you, and the things we have left undone which would have drawn us nearer to you.
But like a parent, you receive us into your loving embrace, both to comfort us and welcome us into your steadfast love. Our gratitude is too great for words; our thankfulness overwhelms our spirits.
As our cup overflows with your mercies, we pray in supplication for those in our communities, in our country, and in our world who do not yet know your peace. In their illness, grant them healing; in their poverty, provide for their needs; in their warfare, grant them reason to cease their hostilities.
Lord, we come to you in adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. Guard our hearts and minds that they would never stray from fellowship with you.
In your sovereign name, we pray.
Philippians 4:6–7
Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it unsafe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.
—C.S. Lewis
Join us to pray the Rosary for Congress and the nation – each Friday at 11:30 am in the Interfaith Staff Prayer Room – 467 Cannon – and via Zoom. All are welcome. Rosaries and prayer sheets are provided. For zoom link or more information, contact Karen.Bronson@mail.house.gov Hosted by the Office of the Chaplain
The Interfaith Staff Prayer Room is open for congressional staff to use for personal prayer and meditation. For questions – email StaffPrayerRoom@mail.house.gov