This past week the United States House of Representatives decided it was more important to grill a baseball player than to consider and vote on a bill that deals with electronic surveillance of terrorists. Then they went on vacation. The Senate had passed a bill and President Bush had said he would sign it. The House simply failed to take up this bill. In light of that, and on this Second Sunday in Lent, perhaps this prayer for Congress is in order:
Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled; that thous wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of thy glory, the good of the Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of thy people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.