Quote from Forum Archives on May 3, 2002, 9:04 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Yesterday I reminded all of you to pray for our nation and its
leaders, as well as for the usual things we pray about. In case you
don't think our leaders appreciate this, just look at the text of the
comments from George W. Bush. He definitely understands the value of
prayer. As the leader of one of the major world nations, I am
personally thankful that my president prays and that he values our
prayers, too. Just because we're past the National Day of Prayer,
please don't forget to regularly pray for all of our leaders. They
have a difficult job to do, and it's not easy, particularly when
power, pressures, and the things of this world get in the way. So
please remember your leaders regularly, no matter where you happen to
live. At least one leader is setting a good example by humbling
himself and acknowledging that he needs prayer.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

The staff and Honorary Committee of The Presidential Prayer Team wish
to thank each and every one who participated in the National Day of
Prayer, whether in a group setting or quietly on their own. Some are
saying it was the largest prayer meeting in our nation's history.
There is no doubt that the united prayers of this event will
reverberate far into the future. May it be the beginnings of a
national returning to God.

The Presidential Prayer Team invites its members to extend this
meaningful moment in our nation's history by making it a daily
practice to pray for our nation and its leaders. Tell a friend about
The Presidential Prayer Team.

Our nation and our President thank you for your prayers! In fact, the
President said this about prayer again today, "We could ask for no
greater gift from our countrymen." Here are the President's full
comments as he spoke to religious leaders in the East Room of the
White House:

"Today we continue a tradition that is as old as our nation, itself --
setting aside a day in which Americans are encouraged to pray; pray
for their neighbors and pray for our nation. The National Day of
Prayer is a vital part of our national heritage, because prayer is a
vital part of our national life.

I'm grateful to all of you, who remind us that a great people must
spend time on bended knee, in humility, searching for wisdom in the
presence of the Almighty. I want to thank the Heritage Signature
Chorale, and Dr. Stanley Thurston for being here today. (Laughter.) I
want to thank Amy Burton, soloist of the New York City
Opera. (Applause.) And we're sure glad you brought your
son. (Laughter.)

I want to thank Shirley Dobson, who is the chair of the National Day
of Prayer Task Force. Thank you for your leadership,
Shirley. (Applause.) I want to thank Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, and Dr. Daniel
Coughlin for being here, as well. I'm honored that you both
came. (Applause.) And, Lloyd, thank you and Shirley for your beautiful
comments. It really meant a lot.

When the first Continental Congress met at Carpenters Hall in
Philadelphia, one of its first official acts was prayer. In 1779, the
Day of Prayer Proclamation asked that "Almighty God would grant the
blessings of peace to all contending nations, freedom to those who are
in bondage, and comfort to the afflicted."

During our nation's darkest hour, our nation's greatest President
called America back to prayer. President Abraham Lincoln urged his
fellow citizens to "look to the redeeming and preserving grace of
God." And Americans wisely accepted President Lincoln's counsel.

America is a country of faith. And throughout our history, in times of
crisis and in times of calm, Americans have always turned to
prayer. And this year's event has special meaning. Since the attacks
of September the 11th, millions -- millions -- of Americans of every
religious faith have been led to prayer. They have prayed for comfort
in a time of sorrow, for courage in a time of fear and for
understanding in a time of anger. They have prayed for wisdom in the
midst of war and for strength on the journey ahead.

These prayers have been made in private homes and in houses of
worship; alone and with others; in moments of doubt and in times of
thanksgiving. These prayers have been heartfelt and they have made a
tremendous difference. Prayer for others is a generous act. It sweeps
away bitterness and heals old wounds. Prayer leads to greater humility
and a more grateful spirit. It strengthens our commitment to things
that last and things that matter. It deepens our love for one another.

Prayer also deepens faith, reminding us of great truths: Evil and
suffering are only for a time; love and hope endure. Even in the
world's most bitter conflicts, prayer reminds us of God's love and
grace, His mercy and faithfulness, the hope He provides and the peace
He promises.

Prayer is central to the lives of countless Americans, including
Laura's and mine. We have been blessed by the prayers of millions of
Americans. We could ask for no greater gift from our countrymen.

I want to thank you all for coming here to the White House to
celebrate this special day, for your devotion to prayer, and for your
love of this country, and for the Lord who has blessed it for so long.

May God bless you all." --George W. Bush, The East Room, May 2, 2002

______________________________________________

If you are not a member of The Presidential Prayer Team, join by
clicking here (if underlined)
www.presidentialprayerteam.org/register.asp, or cut and paste
the web address to the address line of AOL or your web browser. There
is no fee or obligation to join. All new members receive a membership
decal.

______________________________________________

IT'S EASY TO TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER TEAM: click
here (if underlined):
www.presidentialprayerteam.org/tellafriend.asp (or cut and
paste this link to the address line in your web browser).

______________________________________________

TO DISCONTINUE EMAIL UPDATES: If this message came directly from the
Presidential Prayer Team, you may stop future email updates by
forwarding this entire email message to
"remove@presidentialprayerteam.org." If it came from another source
and you wish to stop receiving it, please tell the originator to no
longer forward updates to you. Note: members requesting removal from
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list.

______________________________________________

NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is
distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a
prior interest in receiving this information. The Presidential Prayer
Team is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to
encourage and remind individuals to pray for the President, his
advisors and our nation's leaders. The PPT does not endorse, support
or oppose political candidates, campaigns or parties. Individual and
corporate contributions are tax-deductible.

______________________________________________

SPECIAL NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER UPDATE 5/2/2002 (c)Copyright 2002, The
Presidential Prayer Team, Inc. All rights reserved.

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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