Reverend Dr. Nathan D. Baxter
St. James Episcopal Church
Lancaster, PA
Date of Prayer: 04/29/2004
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
None given.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
The Reverend Dr. Nathan D. Baxter, Rector, St. James Episcopal Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offered the following prayer:
Let us pray.
Blessed Lord, we pause at the beginning of this House's work to acknowledge You, the author of liberty. We thank You for the spirit of freedom so deeply endowed in the heart of this Nation. We also thank You for the great work of democracy, the fruit of liberty, to which this House is dedicated.
We pray for its Members, its officers and staff. For just as we believe democracy is inspired of You, we also know its human work can be difficult and complex, especially in these times of momentous decisions for our Nation and beyond, times of war and terrorist threat, times of economic uncertainty. We need the strength of Your spirit.
So hear our prayer for those we have chosen to represent us in these times. We ask that You would grant each one an extra measure of courage to act rightly when partisan passions beckon, and give them the grace of patience in discerning answers when truth is not clear.
Finally, we pray not just for this House, but for all of us, legislators and citizens, that neither the diligent work of democracy nor the privilege of its fruits will ever long distract us from the truth of its purpose, which is liberty and justice for all. Blessed Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.
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