The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Opening Prayer

11/19/2020
Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, S.J.

God of Heaven and Earth, we give You thanks for giving us another day.

Bless the Members of the people's House with focus and purpose as they gather these few days before Thanksgiving. May their efforts give true cause for Americans to gather to give thanks.

As infections continue to spread and hospitals nationwide are pressed to their limits, look with mercy upon Your people. May we all, together, be mindful of the part we can play in addressing the spread of coronavirus.

May all that is done be for Your greater honor and glory. Amen.

Thought of the Week

“The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.

—Reinhold Niebuhr
https://www.beliefnet.com/prayers/protestant/addiction/serenity-prayer.aspx