Politics

Senate chaplain prays for God to ‘save us from self-inflicted wounds’

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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WASHINGTON — If President Barack Obama and Congress don’t agree to a deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff in the hours before the year ends, taxes on all Americans will go up.

So when the U.S. Senate came to order on Sunday to address the fiscal cliff, that seemed to be on the mind of Barry Black, the Senate chaplain, who prayed for God to “save us from self-inflicted wounds.”

Here is the prayer Black recited on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Sunday afternoon:

“Let us pray. Mighty God, have mercy upon us. Because of your unfailing love, because of your great compassion, let us feel your presence today on Capitol Hill as we gather with so much work left undone. Guide our lawmakers with your wisdom. Lord, show them the right thing to do and give them the courage to do it. Be their shelter in the midst of the storm, regardless of how high the waters rise. When they feel exhausted, remind them of the great sufficiency of your grace. Look with favor on our nation and save us from self-inflicted wounds. We pray in your strong name. Amen.”

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