Senate chaplain prays for ‘fiscal cliff’ deal
The Senate opens every morning it is in session with a simple prayer, usually focused on requests of the Almighty for comity, progress, and swift, peaceful resolution of the issues facing senators.
So how does one pray for a deal to avert the “fiscal cliff” with 13 hours to go? Especially when he’s been praying for a resolution for the better part of two years.
A longtime Navy chaplain and Seventh-Day Adventist minister, Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black launched Monday’s proceedings by praying for senators to “take the tide that leads to fortune, rather than risk a national voyage bound in shadows and in miseries.”
His full prayer appears below:
Let us Pray.
Almighty God, we praise your name. You are high over all the nations and your glory is greater than the heavens.
Let your spirit move our lawmakers to do your will. Teach them valuable lessons from hardships and adversities as they work to be worthy of the sacrifices of those who have already given so much for freedom.
Lift them from the darkness of hopelessness so that they may take steps toward your light. May your presence and grace bring comfort as you inspire them to choose what is right and just.
May they take the tide that leads to fortune, rather than risk a national voyage bound in shadows and in miseries.
We pray in your powerful name. Amen. |