Loving God, we give You thanks for giving us another day.
In the waning days of this 116th Congress, we ask Your blessing upon the Members of this people's House and, most especially, upon the leadership. It is on their shoulders the most important negotiations of this Congress have been placed.
They have been entrusted by their fellow Americans with the awesome privilege and responsibility of sustaining the great experiment of democratic self–government. Give them wisdom, grace, insight, and courage to forge legislation, especially during these trying times of coronavirus pandemic, that allows us all to move forward toward an
encouraging future.
May all that is done this day be for Your greater honor and glory. Amen.
“On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day,
The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.
”
—Isaiah 11:1-10 (NABRE)