PRAYER FOR THE SENATE
Friday, June 13, 2003
Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff
Guest Chaplain
O God who made the rainbows in the sky, you made our land a rainbow, too: from
purple mountain majesties to amber waves of grain, we marvel at the colors of our
nation, and the beauty of our land.
Today, this week, and tomorrow in a special way -- Flag Week, and June 14, Flag
Day--we set aside some time to honor special colors: the colors of our flag. We
celebrate the values our flag in all its colors and its glory represents, and the memories
and dreams our Stars and Stripes--our Star-Spangled Banner--still invokes. "The grand
old flag," as the old song goes, is still "the emblem of the land I love"--we love--"the
home of the free and the brave."
In a moment we will pledge our allegiance to the flag--and to the Republic for which it
stands. As we take that pledge today, let us make that pledge a prayer. Let us pray
that the colors of our flag, and the true colors of our nation and our people--our
dedication to the cause of liberty and justice for all; our courage and determination even
in the face of adversity; and our faith--are forever represented by our flag. May it bring
hope of better times to all the citizens of our land, and all the nations of our world.
May it forever wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
And may we say, Amen.