Thank you for the privilege of being able to be in this position, to be up in this wondrous place, seeing all these many startling, wonderful things that you have created.
Help guide and direct all of us that we may shape our lives to be mush better Christians, trying to help one another, and to work with one another rather than fighting and bickering.
Help us to complete this mission successfully.
Help us in our future space endeavors that we may show the world that a democracy really can compete, and still are able to be things in a big way, and are able to do research, development, and can conduct many scientific and very technical programs.
Be with all our families. Give them guidance and encouragement, and let them know that everything will be okay.
We ask in Thy name.
Amen.
— Astronaut Gordon Cooper, the last American launched into solo orbit around the Earth.
He recited this prayer in space, and before Congress, in 1963.