Reverend J. Cletus Kiley
The Faith & Politics Institute
Washington, DC
Date of Prayer: 02/21/2008
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Let us be mindful of God's Presence.
Loving God,
As a Nation we celebrate these days the memory of two of our great President's: The Honorable George Washington and the Honorable Abraham Lincoln. It was Mr. Lincoln, once a Member of this House, who, reflecting on Your Divine Will, wrote: "The will of God prevails.... God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.... It is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party."
Lord, Mr. Lincoln made this meditation on Your Divine Will in a different context and at a most perilous time in the history of our Nation. The times have changed and there are newer and different challenges we face. But still it behooves us well, as did Mr. Lincoln, to meditate for a moment on Your Will and Your Purpose.
Before we take up our important business here may You pour out upon us an ample portion of Your Spirit that each of us gathered here may truly discern Your Will and Purpose. And may we conform our decisions, our comportment, and our actions accordingly.
Amen.
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