the chap lane, dr. barry black will -- the chaplain, dr. black will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. compassionate god, we need your help to meet the challenges of our time. manifest your might for the honor of your name. surround our lawmakers with the shield of your favor so that their work will accomplish your will on earth. use them so effectively that the hopes and dreams you have for your world might be more fully realized in our day. lord, open their minds to a wisdom that can change and shape our times according to your plan. and, order, bless the many faithful staffers who labor long hours behind the scenes of the legislative process. we pray in your merciful name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington,

the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. eternal god, help of the ages, as we labor a great while before day, give our lawmakers the wisdom to see the right and the courage to do it. cause them to be men and women of integrity, so that our citizens can lead quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness and honesty. remind our senators that you have called them to be servants of the people during this challenging season, so that they must not succumb to pessimism and cynicism or grow weary in well doing. gird them with fortitude. illumine them with the light of truth, and make them more than conquerors in the faith that the kingdoms of this world are to become the one and radiant kingdom of your redeeming love. lord, please remind the many workers who support the legislative process that you see their diligence and will reward their faithful sacrifices. we pray in your great name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of a

the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. almighty god, remove from our any destructive fear of the future, whether of the life that now is or the life that is to come. today, abide with our lawmakers, giving them wisdom to allow your spirit to have access to their hearts. deepen their joy during this sacred season when we remember your journey to our world to save us from sins. remind them that they cannot begin to manage life as you intend it to be unless they look to you for guidance and power. renew their trust in you, as the sovereign of our nation and the generous benefactor of the blessings that come to our land. we pray in your mighty name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c, december 19, 2

banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪ ni >> please remain standing as dr. barry is the invocation -- gives the invocation. >> let us pray. eternal rlord god, giver of perfect gifts, thank you for giving our nation the wonderful blessing of senator edward william brooke iii. we are grateful that his labors helped make real the promises of democracy. we praise you that this talented pioneer bore his burdens in the heat of the day in order to build bridges over which the marginalized could travel. thank you for his willingness to indoor court chips as he -- to indendure hardships. they have inspired so many. today, as senator brooke's nation honors him with the congressional gold medal, remind us all of the time when we will stand before your throwne. made the inspiration we have received from senator brooke's life prepare us for that great day. we pray in your sovreign name. amen. >> you may be seated. >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states, the honorable barack obama. [applause] >> thank you. thank you. thank you very much. please be seated. t

banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪ ni >> please remain standing as dr. barryation -- gives the invocation. >> let us pray. eternal rlord god, giver of perfect gifts, thank you for giving our nation the wonderful blessing of senator edward william brooke iii. we are grateful that his labors helped make real the promises of democracy. we praise you that this talented pioneer bore his burdens in the heat of the day in order to build bridges over which the marginalized could travel. thank you for his willingness to indoor court chips as he -- to indendure hardships. they have inspired so many. today, as senator brooke's nation honors him with the congressional gold medal, remind us all of the time when we will stand before your throwne. made the inspiration we have received from senator brooke's life prepare us for that great day. we pray in your sovreign name. amen. >> you may be seated. >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states, the honorable barack obama. [applause] >> thank you. thank you. thank you very much. please be seated. thank you so m

the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. o god, from whom all noble desires and all good counsels do proceed, crown the deliberation's of our lawmakers with spacious thinking and with sympathy for all humanity. as they face perplexing questions, quicken in them every noble impulse, transforming their work into a throne of service. lord, shower them with your blessings, enabling them to see and experience evidences of your love. may their consistent communication with you radiate in their faces, be expressed in their character and be exuded in positive joy. sanctify this day of labor with the benediction of your approval. we pray in your great name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington d.c., december 17,

the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. eternal god, thank you for the gift of this day. help us to use it for your glory. guide our lawmakers to labor with diligence for the good of our nation. deliver them from bitterness, frustration, and futility, as they lift their eyes to you, their ever-present help for life's difficulties. lord, save them from the futile repetition of old errors and the restoration of old evils. may they live such exemplary lives that people who see their good works will glorify you. use the members of this body to increase opportunities for more abundant life to people everywhere. help our lawmakers to be aware of your nearness and to recognize your voice as you lead them to your desired designation. we pray in your sacred name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the pr

the cap chaplain, dr. barry bla, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. ear tern god, the source of peace on earth, goodwill toward humanity, we feel delight because you are sovereign causing all things to work together for good to those who love you, who are called according to your purpose. help our lawmakers to see that each difficulty is an opportunity to see you work and that in your time you will bring them to a place of abundance. may they face waiting tasks and challenges with your gifts of understanding, kindness, civility, and self-control. lord, astound them with new insight and fresh vision they could not conceive without your blessings. give them the faith to believe that if they listen to you, you will give them answers they can't find themselves -- find by themselves. we pray in powerful name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for

the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. our father. we bow in your sacred presence to acknowlege our need of you. we can do without many things, but without you we can't live. meet the needs of the members of this legislative body. when sorrow and shadows fall on their path, fill them with your joy and light. when they feel perplexed, provide them with your bountiful wisdom. when their health fails, be for them the great physician. lord, we also ask you to protect their loved ones with the shield of your favor. give our lawmakers courage for hard times and strength for difficult places. we pray in your loving name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington d.c., december 4, 2009. to the senate: under the pr

the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. our father god, author of liberty, as our governmental leaders face grave questions and perplexing problems so vitally affecting national welfare and world concord, we bow in reverence in your presence. we acknowledge that it is because of you that we live and move and have our being. strengthen the leaders of our executive, judicial and legislative branches to make their utmost contribution to the healing of the tangled tragedy of our troubled world. through the lips that speak in this forum of freedom, lord, speak to our nation and world, so that your will may be accomplished on earth. lord, heal the divisions which shorten the arm of our national might in this decisive season. help our lawmakers to be patient and considerate one with another, as you give them reverence for truth and a passion for justice. we pray in your holy name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of am

the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. our father in heaven, you know all the roads by which each of us has come to serve in our government's legislative branch. you know the pathway our feet now are treading and what the future holds, for you are the architect of our destinies. give our senators strength sufficient for this day. remind them that their times are in your hands. infuse them with the blessed assurance that you are the love that never forgets, the light that never fails, and the life that never ends. keep them close to you and open to each other, as they do the tasks that preserve our freedoms. we pray in your sovereign name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington d.c., december 3, 2009. to

the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. eternal spirit, whom we seek in vain without, unless first we find you within, may the hush of your presence fall upon our spirits, quiet our minds, and allay the irritations that threaten our peace. breathe through the heat of our desires, your coolness and obama. lord, strengthen the members of this body. take their spirits from strain and stress, and let their ordered lives confess the beauty of your peace. fill them so full of your goodness that they will know how to discern your best for their decisions. make them faithful leaders by your standard of righteousness. we pray in your holy name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c, december 22, 2009, to the senate: und