HOSTAGES mention Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff Daily Congress Prayer, August 23, 2024, House guest chaplain

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Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff, Chaplain, U.S. Navy, Retired, Washington,

D.C., offered the following prayer:

Almighty God, August recalls war: guns of August, World War I; atomic

bombs of August, World War II; and on this day, 1996, Bin Laden

declares war.

Terror, war, still rage. We pray for casualties to cease, hostages

set free in a world itself held hostage to hatred, fear, and grief.

But August recalls progress, too. Two anniversaries next week: 19th

Amendment, women's right to vote; human rights becoming legal rights,

enshrining liberty in law. And stirring words of Dr. King touched our

Nation's soul: ``I have a dream''--that we will be free at last.

75 days until our Nation votes, embracing sometimes hard-won rights,

keeping faith with prayers and dreams of better times: That justice

rolls like mighty waters, righteousness, a never-ending stream; when

freedom rings from every mountainside, and war will be no more.

Then, with new meaning, spirit, united we will proclaim: ``My country

`tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.''

And may we say, amen.

Almighty God,

August recalls war:

Guns of August – WWI,

Atomic bombs of August – WWII,

And on this day, 1996,

Bin Laden declares war.

Terror, war, still rage.

We pray for casualties to cease, hostages set free —

In a world itself held hostage to hatred, fear, and grief.

But August recalls progress, too.

Two anniversaries next week:

19th amendment, women’s right to vote:

Human rights becoming legal rights,

Enshrining liberty in law.

And stirring words of Dr. King touched our nation’s soul:

“I have a dream” – that we’ll be free at last.

75 days until our nation votes,

Embracing sometimes hard-won rights,

keeping faith with prayers and dreams of better times:

That justice rolls like mighty waters,

Righteousness, a never-ending stream;

When freedom rings from every mountainside,

and war will be no more.

Then, with new meaning, spirit, united we’ll proclaim:

My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing.

And may we say, Amen.