Today's opening prayer will be offered by Rev. James E. Smith, senior pastor of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Pioneer, LA.
The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer:
Let us pray.
Our Almighty God says, in 2 Chronicles, ``If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.''
Lord, please grant our lawmakers the humility to know that complete consensus on most of the moral, religious, or political issues of these times is beyond their control. Only You, Almighty God, can move this body to seek Your wise counsel and live to honor You above all else.
As Apostle Paul says, in Ephesians, ``Endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.''
May God bless America. Amen.