chaplain kibben: would you pray with me? bless us, o lord. our lawmakers, our country, and each one of us as we lift our prayers to you. bless us and keep us that our walk this day would be blameless in your sight. guard us and guide us wherever we are called to serve today in our offices, in our communities, or in our homes. that we would be eager to respond to you with our whole being. would that we seek to live upright lives and keep your laws. and when our steps go wayward and our thoughts are overcome by selfish intent, do not for sake us. but -- forsake us. but call us back that we would once again desire to live according to the righteousness you set before us. may your judgment upon us today find us without fault or flaw and may our praise to you this day and always be steadfast and shameless. in the strength of your 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. the pledge of allegiance will be offered by mr. gohmert from texas. mr.

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me? holy god even as we acknowledge the tragedy of over 600,000 death this is pandemic has wrought on our country and the devastation it has caused around the world, help us to find a gift we are new being given. the opportunity to emerge, carefully, from the fear and anxiety covid has imposed on our daily living and rediscover the importance of our relationships one with another. what a joy it is to see someone else's whole face, to look not just in their eyes but to be graced by their whole countenance. as we dare to unmask, may we dare also toev

the prayer this morning will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: will you pray with me. loving god, you who have been revealed in scriptures proclaimed through countless testimonies and made known through enumerable and profound difficult displays of love how humbling it is you have called us to this time and place to have a role to play in the revelation of your gracious plan for all of creation. quhen we are called to account for this hope, may we not be wanting and be prepared and willing to give answer. when we are confronted by the counterfartives of sin civil and bitterness, may our words provide witness to your truth. when we are convinced of our self-efficiency only to discover our inadequacy, may you be merciful to us and when we stray, call us back, that we may once again respond to your grace and follow you. today, may our words be as if they were your own and our service be fortified with the strength that you alone provide. that you would be glorified in the link of our lives. it is in your sovereign name we pray, amen. the speaker pro tempore: thank you for

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. god our guide, we pray this day that you would go before us as we head into the business that awaits. and as we proceed may we see your hand in both the ordinary as well as the exceptional. reveal to us your intent as we attend

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me.d our lord, how majestic is your name and all the earth. your glory fills the earth and is exalted above the heavens. all we need do is look around us, at the intry kate details in the artistry of nature, at the handiwork that has woven the tapestry of the stars arraigned above us at night, at the perfect order of the rising and setting of the sun and the orbit of the moon. to ponder the complex it of your creation is overwhelming, who are we, o god, that you should even ta

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. sovereign god, speak to us this day, speak to us in words that we can hear and understand. give us humbleness of spirit that we will be reaccepttive to the promises you provide. open our ears even as you speak to the voices around us both in the compassion of our friends and criticism of our counterparts. may we screws not take to heed guidance that comes from the counsel of our colleagues but listen to concerns you would have us hear even when it comes from the mouths of our adversaries. listen dollars to your truth and your voice amid the commotion and the calm, let us listen to the perfect law of liberty you have established. inspire us to put your wisdom into practice. we ask your blessing on the work you have called us to do this day in the strength of your name we pray, amen. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 11-a of house resolution 188, the journal of the last day's proceeding is approved. the pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from south carolina, mr

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. o lord our lord, how majestic is your name and all the earth. your glory fills the earth and is exalted above the heavens. all we need do is look around us, at the intry kate details in the artistry of nature, at the handiwork that has woven the tapestry of the stars arraigned above us at night, at the perfect order of the rising and setting of the sun and the orbit of the moon. to ponder the complex it of your creation is overwhelming, who are we, o god, that you should even take notice of us. why, when there is so much to tend to on this earth would you seek so passionately to care for us? and yet you have given us dominion over all of this. you have entrusted us with the stewardship of all these wonderful resources. o lord, our lord, how abundant is your grace, how boundless is your love, how excellent is your name and all the earth. may we take the opportunity to enjoy all your blessings and may we be worthy of the responsibility you have laid on us. in your sovereign name we pray

chaplain kibben: will you pray with me. god our creator, redeemer and friend, we offer to you all that we have and all that we are this day. our cares and concerns. our anoinses and aggravations, our fears and frustration, our tempers and entanglement as well as our hope and happiness, our self-confidence, our strengths and our service. we ask that you would recreate our spirits that we have to face life with renewed purpose and emboldend faith, that you would redeem our lives and the circumstances we face that from our anxiety and uncertainty would emerge courage and wisdom. and that you will remind us of the joyce of daily life, the blessings of home, the warmth and friendship, that through them we would find the gift of your abiding presence of holding us in the efforts of our labors and the living of our days and the redemption of your name, we pray, 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 gent

the prayer will be offered our -- oured by our chaplain, chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: o lord our god, we pause amidst the business of this week and call on you. we are impatient to hear your word. hurry to our assistance. may our prayers be like incense before you. may the effort of our hands be a sacrifice to you. set a guard over our mouth, o lord. watch over the words that come from our lips. do not let the thoughts that emerge into speech be shaped with evil intent. do not allow our hearts to be inclined to compete in wrongdoing with those who wrong us. but may our eyes be ever on you, for in you do we find shelter. and to you we entrust our whole selves. we pray this 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 from colorado, mr. me ambiguous. mr. neguse: i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivis

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. god our guide, we pray this day that you would go before us as we head into the business that awaits. and as we proceed may we see your hand in both the ordinary as well as the exceptional. reveal to us your intent as we attend to the simple things and make us ever mindful that as inconsequential as they may seem, over even the least of these you have authority. unveil your will as we address the substantial items and remind us that through the significant decisions made by this body, you remain sovereign. make us keenly aware of your claim on each and every member of this house and those who labor alongside them in these haloed -- hallowed halls and beyond. that we all would be faithful in our service to you even as we serve the people. holy god, remain with us on the journey you have set before us. never leave or foresake us. but abide with us as we seek to walk in owe bidens to you this day. it is in the strength of your name, we pray. amen. the speaker: pursuant to section 11-a of

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. almighty god, in the aftermath of the disaster in miami, florida, we commend to your care and protection the ongoing search and rescue efforts. we fervently pray that you would deliver all those who are yet clinging to life beneath the magnitude of the wreckage. preserve their spirits even as they struggle with overwhelming fear for their lives. grant them a glimpse of hope, even a miracle, that they would soon emerge from the terrifying prison of panic and distrells. and for the families of the missing and the dead, give them comfort and strength as they wait for an answer or grieve their loss. even as they cling desperately to a photo or a memory, may they find a way to hold fast to their faith in you. guide and strengthen the rescue workers who face the daunting task of digging through the concrete rubble and the devastation that surrounds them. may they have fortitude of body to brave the dangers of this precarious structure. and the fortification of faith to endure the suffering

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me? holy god even as we acknowledge the tragedy of over 600,000 death this is pandemic has wrought on our country and the devastation it has caused around the world, help us to find a gift we are new being given. the opportunity to emerge, carefully, from the fear and anxiety covid has imposed on our daily living and rediscover the importance of our relationships one with another. what a joy it is to see someone else's whole face, to look not just in their eyes but to be graced by their whole countenance. as we dare to unmask, may we dare also to reveal our hearts to one another and rediscover the gift of being in fellowship. even as we risk exposure to the enduring dangers of our environment, may we also risk exposing ourselves to the challenge of frank and open, albeit respectful, interchange of ideas and diversity of thought. in sharing our heart felt thoughts and opinions, may we also find ways to share care and concern with those whose perspectives are at times drastically different

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. o lord our god, speak into our lives as you have spoken throughout time. on the day of historic jubilee, speak good news to the poor that they would have occasion to celebrate emancipation from chains that he yet bind them. proclaim liberty to those still held captive by injustice. give sight to those blind to your merciful love. free all who are oppressed and break every yolk of prejudice and hatred. then call upon us to be the bearers of these truths in both word and deed. cast our eyes on those around us that we would not see slave or free but brothers and sisters. children of your creation. that each person who calls the united states home be allowed to delight in the freedoms afforded them by its democracy. that liberty and justice would be woven inextricably into the fabric of our nation and defended on behalf of all her people. and that hence forward all may be freed from hate and oppression to enjoy your perfect design for this republic. we pray this having each been made free

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me? holy god, you have our days because you have willed them into being. open our eyes that you would see the gracious gift you have laid before us and as we make our way through ifr day of -- every day of our lives through the unexpected detores -- detours, from the unspeakable events to the joyful ones, do not hide from us. may we see your mag anyway sense in the mundane. may your peace give us patience when we have none left. and may your love call us to live holy into the hope of every opportunity you spet before us. spare us from the circumstances that would cause us harm and remind us to delight in your direction. we pray this in the certainty of your saving name, amen. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 11 of house resolution 188, the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved. the pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from virginia, mr. griffith. mr. griffith: i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which

chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. dear lord, teach us this day to open our hearts and minds that we would know how you intend for us to use the gifts of life and love and liberty that you have so graciously given us. help us to understand how you define right and wrong. we veal to us your template for justice that it would be clear and compelling. then may we yield ourself to your law and seek to obey it with our whole selves. direct us this day every step we take, every word we speak, every decision we make so that when we look back at the end of the day on the path on which you have led us, we would find joy in the honor we have given you. may we turn our hearts toward you, aligning ourselves to your will and not toward our own selfish desires. may we turn our eyes away from worthless pursuits and instead seek to give meaning to our lives in light of your truth. hear our desire for your protection, your providence, and your presence. for our very being today and always depends on your covennental and steadfast love.

chaplain kibben: merciful god, you have promised to abide with us faithful in all our circumstances forebearing in our self-preoccupation and forgiving of our sinfulness. come alongside us now and uphold us, redeem us with your steadfast love. give us insight into the depth of your wisdom that we would know of the blessing of your council for the plans we make. may we understand the purpose for which you have designed this day. when we find ourselves discouraged, encourage us with a word from you. when we deceive ourselves, assuming we can do everything on our own, correct us with your instruction and open our hearts to the assistance you provide to the colleagues you have set on this journey with us. and when we sin, call us back to you. today we promise to be faithful. this day we are determined to live in a way that you would have us live. now hold us accountable to our word and show us how to live according to your own. we pray this in strength of your name. amen. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 11-a of house resolution 8, the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved.