thank you to our colleagues and we'd like to recognize chap kibbens to give our prayer and a ask for a moment of silence. chaplain kibbens: you see in a moment of a national crises it has a way of touching each of us in so many different ways and that we are so very different and yet there is more that unites us than divides us, so this evening, depending on your faith, tradition, where you stand, would you unite in allowing our words, my words, our thoughts, our prayers to be united as we pray for israel. if you would, please pray with me. god, you are our refuge and our strength. and an ever present help in times of trouble. we pray then for healing, we pray for healing for israel as a nation, for all that they are enduring at this moment that has come for them from so many different directions and unexpectedly and devastatingly. we pray also for healing for individuals of those in israel, for those who are enduring deep grief and inexplicable loss. we pray that you would heal the broken-hearted and bandage their wounds. we pray also for their protection, for nothing is yet settled

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. merciful god, you came near when we called you. in these recent days of dispute, disagreement and deliberation, when we called to you, you spoke. and our dis-- in our discretion, you -- distress, you upheld us, declaring to our hearts, do not fear. thank you for your abiding presence and the assurance of your protections in the midst of our turmoil. just god, last week you heard our troubles and took up our case. rightly dividing requirement from embellishment, clarifying necessity from excess, and guiding away through competing concerns, you redeemed our concerted attempts to uphold the stewardship of our country's resources and the trusteeship of our government's responsibilities. sovereign god, set the course this week, that these members can navigate the way ahead with your leadership. shed your light on the path that both their debate and their decisions would reflect your wisdom, your compassion and your forbearance. we call on your name, o lord, from the depths of all that we h

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with

the prayer today will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. holy god, we offer ourselves to you this day. a sacrifice we entrust to your keeping. and we pray that you would find our gift pleasing in your tbad and perfect -- in your good and perfect will. and if we are found wanting, if we fall short of your desires for us, show us how to renew our hearts and minds, that they would be transformed. and better able to discern what is good and acceptable in your eyes. in this one body of lawmakers, we have many members. a representation not just of the diversity that is our country, but of the variety of gifts each has been given. on this day of choice, give us the vision to see how you have gifted each one and how you call each to exercise their responsibilities according to the grace you have shown them. and remind us that though we are many, we are members of one another. out of many may one emerge. one common purpose we each share, to serve this nation wisely. with purpose and compassion. with enthusiasm and discernment. with strength and with

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. o god, you desire not the strength of our arguments, nor the vigor of our opinions, but the gravity of our humble sacrifice. on this day, may we sacrifice our inclination for contempt and instead initiate kindness. loosen our grip on jupt and instead may -- on judgment and instead may we grab hold of a generosity of spirit. may we foreswear our grudges and commit instead to exercise forebarrens. hold us accountable that our arguments will hold forth your righteousness and not ring hollow in our rightness. may our struggles preserve the dignity of this body and not erode our commitment to its noble purpose. may our words underscore our devotion to the common good and not undermine our ability to see, even in our adversary, the image of god common to all. open us to your inspiration, for only in you can we aspire to an attitude of sacrifice. with you upholding us, we can be strengthened in our every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. and so we pray unto him that is

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the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me? holy and eternal god, like ezequiel we've stepped out of the frenetic events of this past week and wait for a word from you. we have been zealous to do what we believe to be right, unwavering in our devotion to the calling in which you called us to serve our country and you. there have been many wins, strong and powerful, tearing down structures and damaging foundations, but you were not in that wind. there have been earth shaking displays of power and force, fires which have scorched our lives, but you were not in the earthquake nor in the fire. grant us then ears to hear your still small voice that we would leave the shelters we have created for ourselves and call us out to return to the bigs at hand, yielding to your guidance and leaning on your promise to reveal your mercy and steadfast love for your people. ensure uncertain hope of your deliverance, we offer our prayers, calling on your redeeming name, amen. the speaker pro tempore: amen. you may be seated. the chair has examined

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. holy god, in you do we trust. we are safe under your protection like a city surrounded by mountains. under your watchful eye do we find rest. now and for ever -- forever you are our guard and shield. when the storms of change threaten our perspective, when perils unknown rumble in the thunder of unrest, when we are deluged by the rising tides of terror, let not these dangers overwhelm our faith founded in your abiding presence. instead, may we always find strength in your certainty. purpose in your compassion. direction in your divine guidance. in a world in which so much that we see and hear and experience appears hopeness, may we be ever reminded of the hope we have in you. in your sovereign name we pray. amen. the speaker: the chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the house the approval thereof. pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. the chair will lead the house in the pledge of allegiance. i pledge allegiance to the fl

the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. this morning, o god, keenly aware of the violence and turmoil in israel and throughout the middle east, we pray with the psalmist who wrote pray for the peace of jerusalem. may those who love you be secure. may there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. for the sake of our families and friends, we will say peace be within you. for the sake of the house of the lord, our god, we will seek your good. lord, in your mercy for the people of israel, for the people in gaza, in your mercy hear our prayers. amen. the speaker pro tempore: the chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the house the approval thereof. pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. the chair will now recognize the gentleman from wisconsin to offer the pledge. >> please join me. 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 fo