Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Martin S. Halpern on 6 June 1967

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Date: 2024-06-23

Last Updated: 2024-06-23

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

Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., 90th Congress, English vernacular prayer, Prayers of Guest Chaplains, U.S. House of Representatives, תחינות teḥinot

Excerpt: The Opening Prayer given in the U.S. House of Representatives on 6 June 1967. . . .


Content:
Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Martin S. Halpern, Shaare Tefila Congregation, Washington, D.C.
Sponsor: n/a
Date of Prayer: 6 June 1967


Contribute a translation Source (English)
The Lord of Hosts is exalted through justice
and God the Holy one is sanctified through righteousness. (Isaiah 5:16)
O Thou who art the God of justice and righteousness:
We stand before Thy presence
to seek Thy guidance and counsel
in this time of crisis
and threat to the safety of the world
and to the security of all mankind.
Out of the crucible of adversity, O Lord,
the Founding Fathers of our blessed America
forged our Nation into a citadel of democracy
dedicated to the pursuit of justice
for all the peoples of the earth.
Grant unto our representatives, here assembled
to deliberate in these days of peril,
continued courage and wisdom
equal to our responsibilities
to lead all nations great and small
in the attempt to attain peace with integrity
and to accord human dignity to men of good will.
Make our country Thine instrument, O God,
to teach nations who would defy Thy law of justice and love
that true and lasting peace must be founded on
the practice of truth,
righteousness
and mutual respect in the council of nations.
Thus may we bring to fulfillment
the ancient vision of that glorious day
when man shall do no evil
and work no destruction.
For the earth shall be filled
with Thy knowledge, O Lord,
as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14)

This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the sixth month of the first session of the 90th US House of Representatives, and published in the Congressional Record, vol. 113 part 11 (6 June 1967), page 14799.

Source(s)

Congressional Record, vol. 113, part 11 (6 June 1967), p. 14799

 

Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)

Co-authors:

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