WE ENCOURAGE EVERY MEMBER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 2ND. THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENT AND TO UNITE WITH OTHER PRAYING AMERICANS. TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR THAT EVENT, DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE FREE GUIDE FROM OUR WEBSITE AND DISTRIBUTE IT TO YOUR CHURCH, CLASS, OR COLLEAGUES.

PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER REQUESTS This week we pray for God's divine protection and care to be on the President. He repeatedly requests godly wisdom in his decisions as well as clarity of thought as he considers world events, domestic policy and a myriad of other issues. Of greatest concern is the unrest in the Middle East and the strain that is putting on our nation's relationships with allies in the region.

Pray for President Bush's top advisor, Karen Hughes, who is returning to Texas to be with her husband and son. Pray that a strong successor will be found for this important post.

This week the President and Mrs. Bush will welcome Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar and his wife for a visit to Camp David, May 3-4. Pray that this time together will further strengthen efforts between our nations to combat terrorism around the world.

Pray with the President for the continued protection of every member of our armed forces, as they labor for the cause of peace around the world. Our nation is still at war, and our prayers must reflect that.

QUOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT "Turning to prayer in times of joy and celebration, strife and tragedy is an integral part of our national heritage. When the first settlers landed on the rocky shores of the New World, they celebrated with prayer, and the practice has continued through our history. In 1775, the Continental Congress asked the citizens of the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a Nation. General George Washington, encamped at Valley Forge, also sought God's guidance as Americans fought for their independence. The faith of our Founding Fathers established the precedent that prayers and national days of prayer are an honored part of our American way of life." --George W. Bush, National Day of Prayer Proclamation 2001.

ADDITIONAL LEADERS TO PRAY FOR THIS WEEK White House Chief of Staff: Andrew Card Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: William Rehnquist Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Richard B. Myers Attorney General: John Ashcroft National Security Advisor: Condoleezza Rice

PRESIDENTIAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK "Entering thus solemnly into covenant with each other, we may reverently invoke and confidently expect the favor and help of Almighty God--that He will give to me wisdom, strength, and fidelity, and to our people a spirit of fraternity and a love of righteousness and peace." --President Benjamin Harrison

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Presidential Prayer Team to offer the prayer for the President on the Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer. This national prayer meeting will be telecast live from Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., New York City and Colorado Springs. It will air Thursday, May 2, 5-8 pm PDT, and 8-11 pm EDT. Check local listing for station information. For more information, see www.concertofprayer.org .

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THE NATIONAL PRAYER Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate and member of The Presidential Prayer Team Honorary Committee has written the official prayer for the National Day of Prayer. All Americans are asked to pray this prayer in unison at 12:00 pm, Thursday, May 2:

"Gracious God, all that we have and are is a result of Your amazing generosity. Since September 11th, in the battle against terrorism, we have discovered again that You truly are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We rededicate ourselves to be one nation under You. In You we trust. We reaffirm our accountability to You, to the absolutes of Your Commandments, and to justice in our society. Bless our President, Congress, and all our leaders with supernatural power. We commit ourselves to be faithful to You as Sovereign of our land and as our personal Lord and Savior. Amen." -- Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, Chaplain of the United States Senate

***THIS NATIONAL PRAYER AND OTHER INSPIRATION INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE GUIDE TO THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, DOWNLOADABLE FREE FROM OUR WEBSITE AND AVAILABLE NOWHERE ELSE***

INSPIRATIONAL REFERENCE OF THE WEEK "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." The Bible, II Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

PATRIOTIC QUOTE FOR THE WEEK "God loves America. When you consider what He went through to bring our forbearers to this magnificent land, and when you realize what He accomplished in bringing forth a new nation on this continent--a government founded on Christian principles and dedicated to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness--you have to realize that He had a dramatic vision and purpose for this nation. --Dr. D. James Kennedy

THE HERITAGE OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Since the earliest moments of our nation's history, our leaders have called for national days of prayer, repentance and fasting. When an impasse had been reached at the Continental Congress, Benjamin Franklin called for prayer with these words: "I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men… And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? I therefore beg leave to move--that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business…"

Less than 100 years later, a concerned Abraham Lincoln called for national prayer in the midst of the Civil War. "WHEREAS, The Senate of the United States; devoutly recognizing the Supreme authority and just government of Almighty God in all the affairs of men and nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation. And Whereas, it is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord."

Many other statesmen, presidents and leaders have called on the nation to turn to God in prayer. In 1952, President Truman signed a joint resolution of Congress, creating the national day, and in 1988 it became a law under the signature of President Ronald Reagan. Today, the yearly observance takes on new meaning as our country unites in prayer with an enthusiasm and fervency that indicate a new chapter in our nation's history.

From The Presidential Prayer Team.

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), April 27, 2002

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-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), April 27, 2002.