O Master of the Universe,
in humility and love,
we pray for Thy help and guidance,
that our Nation might be blessed
by our deliberations
and that we might be blessed
in serving as faithful custodians
of its great heritage
and its noble vision.

It is for peace we pray,
the true substance of peace
founded on understanding and tolerance,
enabling ever greater numbers of men
to move from the somber shadows of fear
to the sunlight of freedom and dignity.

Vast is the power of our Nation,
the power for destruction
as well as for construction;
may we never use it but as Thy trustees,
in humility,
in justice,
and in the love of all men.

Menacing are the manifold dangers
on the horizon today;
may we face them steadily,
yielding neither to fear
nor to pride.

Many are the crosscurrents
that would confound our course;
may we see the goals of our Nation straight and true—
the building of good and freemen,
not the pyramiding of power;
the fostering of dignity and happiness,
not the vain search for triumph and glory;
the building of a great and dedicated society,
not the tinsel symbols of blind arrogance.

Upon us the eyes
of a hundred and fifty million
of our countrymen are turned;
may we serve thine image, O God, within them,
not the “idols of the marketplace,”
which glitter momentarily in the false glare of popular favor.

May Thy light and Thy strength ever be
with the President of the United States,
with the Members of this Assembly,
and all who labor for the good of our Nation.
Amen.