The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Opening Prayer

04/18/2019
Chaplain (Capt.) Daniel L. Mode

Eternal Father, in recent weeks, You have beautifully reminded us of Your sovereignty. You indeed are Lord of creation, as You have allowed
the gift of spring to bloom throughout our country, and especially in our Capital City of Washington, where the cherry blossom trees seem to
take center stage.

Thus, as we begin these deliberations, we ask Your blessing that Your holy hand may enlighten and firmly guide us as we seek to preserve and promote the dignity and life of all of our people.

May this body of legislators always recognize it is their sworn vocation to assist You in administering Your benevolence, that an atmosphere of true peace and liberty may prevail in our country and throughout the world.

We ask this grace, as we do all favors, in Your most holy and loving name. Amen.

Thought of the Week

“Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the LORD, your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, "Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'"

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people.”

—Joel 2:12-18

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