Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. Senate: Rabbi Charles M. Rubel on 4 August 1971

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Date: 2024-06-16

Last Updated: 2024-06-17

Categories: 🇺🇸 United States of America, Opening Prayers for Legislative Bodies

Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., 92nd Congress, English vernacular prayer, Prayers of Guest Chaplains, U.S. Senate, תחינות teḥinot

Excerpt: The Opening Prayer given in the U.S. Senate on 4 August 1971. . . .


Content:
Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Charles M. Rubel, Congregation B’nai Raphael, Miami, Florida
Sponsor: Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D-MN)
Date of Prayer: 4 August 1971


Contribute a translation Source (English)
Sovereign of the universe and Father of all mankind:
We invoke Thy blessings
upon all assembled here
in this great shrine of American freedom.
Do Thou, O Gracious Guardian,
direct the deliberations of the Members of the Senate
so that their wisdom and vision
may make our beloved land the beacon tower of light
for all the nations of mankind.
Grant them wise and discerning hearts
to legislate wisely and beneficiently.
Bless the President of the United States
and our Vice President,
and the Members of the Congress of the United States
and their dear ones.
Hasten the day
when the millennial hope
of universal peace
will prevail throughout the world.
May the Biblical ideals
of justice,
equality,
brotherhood,
and freedom
enshrined in the American heritage
become the heritage of all peoples of the earth.
May America exemplify the words of the Psalmist—
How good and how sweet it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity. (Psalms 133:1)
May all mankind form one bond of love and fellowship.
May the day be near
when nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
nor shall they learn war any more.[1] Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3 
May our beloved country
continue to eternity,
to be the land of the free
and the home of the brave.[2] Lines from the “Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key (1814). 
May this be Thy will now
and forevermore.
Amen.

This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the eighth month of the first session of the 92nd US Senate, and published in the Congressional Record, vol. 117 part 22 (4 August 1971), page 29225.

Source(s)

Congressional Record, vol. 117, part 22 (4 August 1971), p. 29225

 

Notes

Notes
1 Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3
2 Lines from the “Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key (1814).

Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

Co-authors:

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Flag_of_the_United_States_Senate.svg
Title: Flag_of_the_United_States_Senate.svg
Caption: Flag of the United States Senate