the prayer will be offered by our chaplain, chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. sovereign god, these times are in your hands. incline your ear to us and hear our prayers for our congress, for our nation, for its people. as compatriots we are too often separated by politics and perspectives, individual certainties and intractable opinions. on this anniversary of national discord and despair, send your healing spirit among us and tend to the dispiritedness and disagreement here within and around the people's house. this day, into your hands we commend our spirits of fear, anger and uncertainty and ask that you would revive in us our shared commitment to this country's highest ideals, its strength in its diversity, its power in its defense of the common good. on these virtues was our country founded and for them countless heroes have sacrificed. remind us, inspire us, the aggrieved, the skeptical, the disenfranchised, all of us to hold true and remain worthy of this noble heritage. we offer the words of abraham lynn con. that

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. all knowing, all seeing god, look upon us this day. nothing is hidden from your sight. all that we are is laid bare before you. pier into our thoughts and redeem the unworthyness therein that attempts to define it. search our souls and in your mercy, see as we were meant to be and give us the light to live into that hope. then, as we have been seen, may we see. as we gaze around us look upon the people you have placed in our pats with the same acceptance that you have shown us. give us your sight, that we would not be the judge of unworthyness but agents of redemption. give usize to see the discontented and be comfort of your gracious care with a selfless gesture, a kind word, a helping handment. reveal all around us that seek to remain invisible but have remained hidden, that no one would have cause to believe that they remain outside your grace and. in your name, we pray. amen. pursuant to section 11-a of house recent like 188, the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved.

the prayer will be offered by our chaplain, chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. sovereign god, these times are in your hands. incline your ear to us and hear our prayers for our congress, for our nation, for its people. as compatriots we are too often separated by politics and perspectives, individual certainties and intractable opinions. on this anniversary of national discord and despair, send your healing spirit among us and tend to the dispiritedness and disagreement here within and around the people's house. this day, into your hands we commend our spirits of fear, anger and uncertainty and ask that you would revive in us our shared commitment to this country's highest ideals, its strength in its diversity, its power in its defense of the common good. on these virtues was our country founded and for them countless heroes have sacrificed. remind us, inspire us, the aggrieved, the skeptical, the disenfranchised, all of us to hold true and remain worthy of this noble heritage. we offer the words of abraham lynn con. that

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. all knowing, all seeing god, look upon us this day. nothing is hidden from your sight. all that we are is laid bare before you. pier io

the prayer will be offered by our chaplain, chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. sovereign god, these times are in your hands. incline your ear to us and hear our prayers for our congress, for our nation, for its

the prayer will be offered by our chaplain, chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. sovereign god, these times are in your hands. incline your ear to us and hear our prayers for

the prayer will be offered by our chaplain, chaplain kibben. ap

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. god, our redeemer, preserve you are e. and friend. hear our prayers this day as we seek to live our lives in obedience to you. for you have not set us apart from this world. but have placed us into our communities, then sent us into positions of authority so that we would be salt to the earth. to preserve and protect the ideals on which this country was founded. to enhance and uphold the virtues by which this government was formed. to live our lives according to your divine word. may we not take this lightly, this extraordinary opportunity you have given us or allow our words or actions to become corrosive or damaging in the exercise of our influence. rather, may our faithfulness to your word serve the purpose of enhancing the lives of those around us and the purposes for which you have sent us. grant us, then, together a peaceful relationship that the salt that we are and the haloed responsibilities we -- hallowed responsibilities we share together would serve to glorify you in the g

the prayer will be offered by our chaplain, chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. sovereign god, these times are in your hands. incline your ear to us and hear our prayers for our congress, for our nation, for its people. as compatriots we are too often separated by politics and perspectives, individual certainties and intractable opinions. on this anniversary of national discord and despair, send your healing spirit among us and tend to the dispiritedness and disagreement here within and around the people's house. this day, into your hands we commend our spirits of fear, anger and uncertainty and ask that you would revive in us our shared commitment to this country's highest ideals, its strength in its diversity, its power in its defense of the common good. on these virtues was our country founded and for them countless heroes have sacrificed. remind us, inspire us, the aggrieved, the skeptical, the disenfranchised, all of us to hold true and remain worthy of this noble heritage. we offer the words of abraham lynn con. that

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me? eternal god, throughout human history, you have acted on our behalf. defended us against our enemies. saved us from our own sinfulness. and like those who have gone before us, we have failed to appreciate the mercy you have afforded us from the beginning of time. show us the writing on the wall. our days are numbered. it doesn't matter whether we are counting the days of our life or the time in our current vocation, you have determined the days we are given to serve you. may we not be found wanting. having fallen short of the part we play in your gracious design. may we instead look to all that you have done for us, all that you have promised, and remember how blessed we are. may we respond with full hearts and willing spirits in our attitudes and actions. living lives worthy of your mercy. may we speak your truth in our every word with our colleagues and constituents as to the stranger and to the estranged. and nay we reflect the world -- to the world your steadfast love to those aro

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me? great and wonderful god, your knowledge is too wonderful for us. and yet, you have put at our disposal minds that you yourself designed and the wisdom of the centuries. may we be responsible stewards of these grace gifts. your spirit abides with us wherever we go. we cannot flee from you. whether we explore the skies or reside in our inner most thoughts, you are there. may we find ourselves this day to be worthy of your enduring presence. if we travel to far-flung places or find ourselves far from our own homes, wherever we are, distance means nothing to you. your hand offers guidance. your word direction. may we take heed of how you are steering our lives. and when we are lost in the darkness of decision, when night falls on our hope for agreement and mutual accord, cause our night to shine like the day. relieve our darkness with the light of your truth. in your gracious and merciful name we pray. amen. the speaker: pursuant to section 11-a of house resolution 188, the journal of the

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. holy and omnipotent god we stand before you, vulnerable to your power at work within and around us. like precious metal we are being forged. tested like silver. formed by your creative hands. in these moments may we trust that you are refining us, restoring us, and shaping us that we would best reflect your image in all we do. we also stand before this nation exposed to a multitude of opinions and a host of challenges bearing the responsibilities that have been placed in our care. many voices attempt to drown out your own divine word that has called us to hold fast to our faith in your perfect righteousness. in these moments may we stand firm in our obedience to you, to your claim on our lives. may the trials in our lives and the testing of our faith produce steadfastness in our walk with you. in your abiding name we pray. amen. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 11-a of house resolution 188, the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved. now i would ask the pledge o

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. almighty god for the people you placed in our lives and in positions of leadership of this country, we give you our deepest gratitude. for senator harry reid and his fighting spirit that tirelessly sparred and paried in defense of this nation. thank you that his journey from searchlight, nevada, found its way to our nation's capitol. that he would be given opportunity to exercise his drive and passion and to go the distance in this political ring. bless this gathering as we honor his legacy that has touched countless policies and people. now as he rests from the joy of the work he has done for this country, having spoken plainly and listened well, may he hear your own well-done for his faithful and devoted service to this legislative body and to this nation. inspire in all who yet serve the same willingness to favor pragmatism even if it risks unpopularity. and to choose a life of integrity as befits this institution. it is in your eternal name we pray. amen. >> ladies and gentlemen,