Father Pat Conroy (Screen Capture)

(CNSNews.com) - Father Pat Conroy, the chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives, opened the House session for Jan. 3—the last day of the 115th Congress in which the Republicans controlled the House—by delivering a prayer in which he asked God and the American people to forgive Congress for how it has “fallen short.

“May the work of the new Congress issue forth with legislation to the benefit of our nation and its citizens, and where the efforts of the 115th Congress have fallen short, we ask Your forgiveness and the forgiveness of all Americans,” Conroy said.

Here is the transcript of Father Conroy’s prayer:

“God of the universe, we give You thanks for giving us another day.

“In the final hour of the 115th Congress, we give You thanks for Your faithfulness to our nation. There have been many struggles, many sorrows, and yet we are still here and able to give You thanks that millions of our citizens live free.

“May the work of the new Congress issue forth with legislation to the benefit of our Nation and its citizens, and where the efforts of the 115th Congress have fallen short, we ask Your forgiveness and the forgiveness of all Americans.