Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=54472
open_content_license: Creative Commons Zero (CC 0) Universal license a Public Domain dedicationDate: 2024-02-25
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Categories: 🇺🇸 United States of America, Opening Prayers for Legislative Bodies
Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., 88th 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 25 February 1964. . . .
Contribute a translation | Source (English) |
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Avinu Shebashomayim, Our Father in heaven,
joined here in the home of the legislative tribunal of our great Nation, the House of Representatives of the United States of America, we proclaim Thy sovereignty and dominion over all that is created and we reaffirm our fervent desire to abide by Thy will. |
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We pray Thee, O merciful Father,
that in Thy infinite goodness Thou wilt bestow upon these dedicated leaders of Thy divine grace so that they may be strengthened to face the challenge of world leadership. |
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Give them the courage and wisdom
to pursue with ever-increasing vigor the principles of our great democracy. |
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Give them the fortitude needed to persevere
in the unrelenting pursuit of freedom, and human dignity. |
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May our present leaders be enabled
to emulate the consecration and dedication of Lincoln and Washington whose commemoration we have just concluded. |
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Shower them with Thy coveted gift
of an understanding heart and a soul attuned to the need of those less fortunate. |
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As we stand on the threshold
of the festival of Lots[1] i.e., Purim. which we will usher in tomorrow, we beseech Thee Almighty God that Thou mayest as in days of old, convert these days of fear to tranquillity, darkness to light, hate to love, anxiety to serenity, and sorrow to joy. |
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Hasten the day
when all the inhabitants of the earth will recognize Thy glory and Thy will be done; and when in unison we will all labor for the sanctification of Thy name. Amen. |
This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the second month of the second session of the 88th US Congress in the House of Representatives, and published in the Congressional Record, vol. 110, part 3 (1964), page 3536.
Notes
1 | i.e., Purim. |
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Contributor: Bernard Weinberger
Co-authors:
Featured Image:
Title: Flag_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives.svg
Caption: Flag of the United States House of Representatives