The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Opening Prayer

08/20/2026
Pastor Zack Randles

Awesome Almighty God, we come before you today remembering the first three verses from the 121st Psalm: 

I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber.

God, we thank you that in all things we can look to you. You made all things, you know all things, and you are overseeing all things all the time. It is with this in mind that we ask you for help today. Please, Almighty God, bring peace where there is conflict: in our hearts, in our homes, in this chamber, in our country, and overseas. Only you know what it would truly take for each of those to happen. Help us, oh God! And bring healing alongside that peace that strengthens and restores. As they return from recess, fill this chamber with wisdom and courage for the days ahead. They have been given an impossible task, but your eyes, oh God, are always watching, your hands, oh God, are always guiding, and your spirit, O God, is always leading. Thank you for the way that you love us! Thank you for those that you’ve raised up to defend our country and our freedoms. Please protect them in a special way today: body, mind, and spirit, so that they can serve to the fullness of their abilities.

I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Psalm 121:1–3

Thought of the Week

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.  Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it?  It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that in the course of time and things the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it?  Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue?  The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature.

—George Washington

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