FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A pastor in Fayetteville wil give a special invocation before the U.S. House of Representatives.

John Wright Coker Jr., of First Presbyterian Church, will give this invocation on March 29.

O God, in your sight, nations rise and fall and pass through times of peril. In your name, our forebearers won liberty for us all, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn.

Give constant and wise counsel to this Congress, to the President, and to the judiciary of this land. Make these servants equal to our trust, reverent in the use of freedom, just in the exercise of power, generous in the protection of weakness. Be present with our armed forces throughout the world, and with their families.

Keep us mindful of how small the earth is, how interrelated our lives have become, and how fragile security and peace can be. Hold us together as one people. Guard us from prejudice against neighbors, who having come from many lands, now pledge allegiance to one flag.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, and grant us your peace. Amen.