The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Richard Hynes

Office of Evanglism, Archdiocese of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Date of Prayer: 12/08/2009

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Lord God, on this date Catholics honor Jesus' Mother, her own conception, especially today at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception here in Washington, DC, which is dedicated in her honor as our patroness of the United States of America.

God of Peace & Justice, 68 years ago today from this chamber, President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress for the permission to respond to terror inflicted on our country in Pearl Harbor the previous day.

Sadly, Lord God, terror continues today.
Individuals, groups of individuals, and even some nation states imagine terror, prepare for terror and conspire for terror.

However, the necessity to protect innocent people, the right of communities to live in peace, the expectation that people can live with differences, and in harmony remain deep desires for Americans and many others of good will.

Guide our nation with right judgment and courage.

Encourage all who labor for an end to terror.

We shall never cease seeking your inspiration in our endeavors to imagine peace and to work for justice.

Amen.

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