O Lord of sea and sky, who carved the ocean floors and set the waters in their place, who stills storms to a whisper and hushes the waves of the sea, watch over all those who this day sail these vast oceans in their service to our Nation and the United States Navy.
Even as we celebrate 251 years of the Navy's noble history, may each sailor who stands the watch today be assured of Your protection and strengthened in their resolve by the promise of Your sure defense.
Wherever they find themselves this day, with the USS George W. Bush Carrier Strike Group or the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the Arabian Gulf, on the destroyers and support ships operating in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, God of all creation, watch over them.
May both chart and compass guide them and Your hand lead them through the tempests and shoals they encounter.
Then, as You have granted the USS Lincoln and all who have gone down to the sea in ships safe passage home to the waiting arms of family and friends, so may each of us anticipate the reward of Your embrace when we have faithfully served You in the days You have given us in this place, defending the freedoms You have bestowed on this country.
In Your eternal name, we pray. Amen.
Psalm 107:23–26,29–30
The First Amendment...does not say that in every respect there shall be a separation of Church and State. ... Otherwise the state and religion would be aliens to each other –– hostile, suspicious, and even unfriendly. ... The state may not establish a 'religion of secularism' in the sense of affirmatively opposing or showing hostility to religion, thus preferring those who believe in no religion over those who do believe.
—Justice William Douglas
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