chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. god, our god, we pray you would come alongside us on this day. to have the privilege to be in your presence would give our lives a sense of fulfillment, our efforts purpose, and our direction certainty. as we travel together, be our eyes, that we would see the magnificence of your design. our ears, that we would hear the symphony you've composed. that in what we touch, we feel your embrace. and that we would taste the suftnence you've provided for our journey -- sustenance you've provided for our journey. with you beside us, may we have the faith to give over to your keeper all our desires, plans and thoughts. that we would yield our whole selfs to you, trusting in your direction. wherever you lead us, today and in the days to come, may we readily follow. and when we cannot know what lies ahead, increase our faith. may we have confidence that you have prepared for us all that we could ever hope for. in you is the assurance that the way will be made clear. we pray in the abiding love o

the will be offered by chaplain -- chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me? gracious god, what treasures you have set before us. a country rich with resources. a history founded on faith in you and invested in the noble principles of the american experiment. and yet we confess that we have allowed these endowments to be destroyed by maws of malice and misdirection. we acknowledge before you that we have tolerated and even taken the light and the corrosive rust of rivalries in debate. forgive us for taking for granted the precious gifts of life, liberty and happiness and letting them slip from our care only to be stolen by pride and conceit. call us back to rededicate ourselves to the mercy you have shown us time and again. may we treasure in our hearts the privilege you have given us as americans to serve as stewards of your bountious love. we pray in the strength of your holy name. amen. the speaker: pursuant to 5-a -- section 5-a-1-a of house resolution 8, the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved. the pledge of allegiance will be led by the gen

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. almighty god, humbly i beseech you to receive each and every prayer i offer. as one grounded in love for you and your truth. in submitting myself to your will to serve in these halllowed halls, may the words of my mouth or the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you. search my heart and forgive my hidden faults. convict me for any malice or offense that i may inadvertently inflict on those whom you have called me to serve. instead, allow my prayers to reflect a deep yearning for the welfare and wisdom of all for whom i am privileged to serve alongside. intercede in the fallibility of my speech. through the power of your spirit that what is given in love may be received with grace. and when my words are misconstrued, may your spirit bring clarity. and should truth cause hurt, may your spirit be the mediator of our reconciliation in accordance with your will. o lord, our rock and our redeemer, may this prayer reflect the desires of all those who pray with me and we offer this praye

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. loving god, we come to you on this international women's day in gratitude for the care and example you have lifted up before us and the women whose lives in some way have touched our own. and those whose virtue in the face of untold and inconceivable challenges has provided fortitude and faith. rahab and deborah challenged expectations and changesed the course of a nation. for countless and hidden figures who continue to challenge institution national norms, influencing and advances in technology, social sciences and the arts. for the unheralded mothers who challenges the hours in a day and manage households and nurture young leaders, for the faithful like mary, ruth and esther, who in the face of cultural challengeses yielded to your will and affected your loving plan. as we go about our business and address the concerns of these days, may we hear from the which is zom, the teaching of kindness. may we learn from their live's work the importance of courage and be inspired by the stre

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. crib: -- chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. gracious god, as we aproshe another week of legislation, we pray with the psalmist, your favor on each leader of this chamber. endow them with your righteousness, that the judgments of their hearts and words of their mouths will demonstrate your defense of the disheartened. grant them an understanding of your perfect justice, that their legislation would reflect your deep affection for those in need of salvation. may the words we speak to one another, and the motions put forward be as refreshing as rain on a moon field. and may their decisions, their actions, and their passionate hearts serve this nation as showers watering the earth. bless each and all of us that in all that we say, in all that we do, in everything we accomplish this week, we would give honor to your glorious name. we offer this prayer to you in the strength of that name. amen. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 11-a of house resolution 188, the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved. the pledge

chaplain kibben -- chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. eternal and loving god, we pray your blessing on us today. inure duties give us to press on with hearts open to emulating the forbearance and sacrifice you have demonstrated in your steadfast love for us and for this world. as brothers and sisters of your creation, we pray the safe to leave behind all that has kept us from living into this your gracious plan. and as we strain toward what is ahead, toward the goal of a higher calling, we pray your favor. may all who trust in you receive this your benediction on today's journey. may the raindrops fall lightly on your brow. may the soft winds freshen your spirit. may the sunshine brighten your heart. may the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you. and may god enfold you in the mantel of his love. we offer ourselves to you playing in the strength of your name, amen. the speaker: pursuant to section 11-a of house resolution 188, the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved. the pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman f

. -- chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. holy god, a year ago normal was turned on its head. national pastimes canceled their seasons and broadway went dark. since then, our whole lives have been tragically upended, and our sense of health and welfare forever threatened. but you in your mercy have set before us many who have stood firm in the face of this year of incredible disruption and uncertainty. god, we offer our deep felt gratitude for the frontline workers. medical personnel, and first responders. as well as those who have borne the responsibility for maintaining the nation's infrastructure in all its forms. sanitation, communication, transportation. we lift up to you in thanksgiving all teachers, counselors, caregivers, and parents who have upheld their commitment to the well-being and the future of our country. i offer this prayer in these chambers because each of us and the american government itself is beholden to the scores of capitol police, staff members, and concession workers who, without fail or fanfare, ha

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. almighty god, as these lawmakers take their sides on this fractional bill before them, we pray your mercy. forgive them. all of them. for when called upon to respond to a once in a century pandemic that has

the speaker pro tempore: the prayer will be offered by chaplain kib kibben. chaplain kibben: almighty god, you breathe into life creation, making humanity a little lower than the angels. crowning us with glory and honor. putting everything under our feet. what a gift. keep us ever mindful of the responsibility that comes with that endowment. that you desire that each and all would flourish. that everyone would be able to live into the privilege of becoming the people you designed us to be. as you did in the beginning, send your spirit and bring order over the chaotic waters of disputes and debate that surround us. shed your light on the darkness of alienation and division. and divide the argument from the unique, meaningful, and constructive dialogue. remind us that you have created us in your image, and this is what we should see reflected in the lives of the other. whether we like them or not, whether we vote as they do or remain addimentsly owe -- adamantly opposed, they, too, are your beloved children. and as we labor in this place, we pray you look over

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. almighty god, as these lawmakers take their sides on this fractional bill before them, we pray your mercy. forgive them. all of them. for when called upon to respond to a once in a century pandemic that has rocked our country, up-ended its economy and widened the chasm of partisan opinion, they have missed the opportunity to step above the fray and unite to attend to this national crisis. in failing to address the acura moany and divisions that have prevailed in this room, the servants you have called to lead to this country have contributed to a spread of a more insidious contagion of bitterness and spite. rather than employing the preventive measures of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patients, this armor has been set aside in favor of argument, disparaging words and divisiveness. you have warned us that a house divided against itself cannot stand. and now we stand in need of healing and reconciliation. merciful lord, rebuild this house, that their labor will not be i

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. holy god, as the week progresses with so much more to do, we pray your difference vine presence in every debate, every hearing, every meeting, every conversation and not the least, in every vote. given the sheer exhaustion schedule and adequate nourishment of body and soul through which these members toil, without your difference vine guidance who is able to gomp your people. as you answered king solomon's prayer grant these servants the hearts in the gompance of this country and pars out the necessary from the convenient. may they guide their purpose. simply may they be able to distinguish right from wrong. on to your care, we commend today's explosion that they would prove worthy in your sight. we offer this prayer in the strength of your name, amen. the speaker: pursuant to section 11-a of house resolution 8, the journal of last day's proceedings are approved. >> i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation unde

chaplain kibben: will you pray with me. from before the beginning of time, god, you have been for us. in eternity past you had your hand in both our creation and in our redemption. may we appreciate the lives you have given us and deliver us from our indulgence which squanders the opportunities you have provided. may we understand that you have given us dominion over the earth and disavow us of the prideful notion that we alone are masters of our own existence. may we see the perfect design you conceived at creation and forgive us our destructive disregard for your handiwork. most important, may we receive the love you have shown us and show us mercy when our lives reflect, instead, hate and indifference. recreate us, o lord, to live into your plan. we stand in need of your redemocrative grace and the strength of your eternal name, we pray. amen. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 5-a-1-a of house resolution 8, the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved. the pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentl

the will be offered by chaplain -- chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me? gracious god, what treasures

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. almighty god, in you we trust and pray your blessing on this house and its members. in these first days of spring, may we see the example of new life emerging from the bleakest of seasons. confident in your care and sure of your purpose. as trees planted by streams of water, may we extend our roots, ourselves, our energy, and our desires to the refreshment of your life giving spirit. when the heat of our days increases, and the schedule becomes withering, restore us with reinvigorated desire to serve you. when the storms of debate and disagreements intensify, may we not throw ourselves into the path of the tempest but live into the grace we receive from your promises. and when the drought of certainty and famine of significance seem to deplete us of any vestage of hope, revive our faithfulness that we in this season may bear fruit for your kingdom. we offer this prayer in the strength of your name. amen. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 11-a of house resolution 188, the jo