“Wherever My name is called upon in prayer
there will I come and bless thee.”^[1] Cf. Exodus 20:21 

In this spirit and hope of Thy divine promise
have we come to invoke Thy benediction
as Thy servants begin their daily tasks.
Not reliant upon the strong arm of flesh,
nor upon the flash of mental brilliance,
nor upon the fervor of eloquent tongue,
but upon Thy encompassing love
and the majesty of Thy divine assurance
have we assembled.
Without it
they that build
labor in vain.

Our history is a Bible wherein Thou dost reveal
Thy law of righteousness which alone exalteth a people.
Thy name is written in letters of flaming justice
across the heart of our nation.

Give Thy servants, we pray Thee,
the spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord,
to interpret its letters in characters of freedom and truth,
in lines of enduring peace and secure prosperity.
Include ever in Thy benign favor
the President of our country,
his Cabinet,
and all to whom Thou givest power in trust
for Thy children’s happiness.

To the institutions of learning
and the blessed homes of mercy
that dot our land as beautifully
as the stars bedeck the firmament above,
to the church and the state in their fortunate separation,
and to all helpful impulses and interests
grant Thou strength and wise direction.

Wherever Thy name is invoked in sincerity,
in every land and in every clime,
drop Thy rich crown of blessing,
of peace, prosperity, and happiness.

Amen.