Quote from Forum Archives on May 2, 2002, 11:07 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I cannot say enough about the importance of prayer. Today, May 2,
2002 has been named The National Day of Prayer in the U.S.A.
Regardless of where you may be today, prayer is a good thing. We can
pray for one another, we can pray for wisdom for our own leaders, and
we can also pray for the wisdom of leaders elsewhere.

Prayer is a normal part of my life. But every now and then, I think
it is a good thing to collectively focus on prayera along with
others. It draws people together, but not just in any old way. It
draws us together, as we all look to God for guidance and direction.

Praying is not a matter of demanding things to God. Quite the
opposite, at least for me. Prayer is all about acknowledging my own
weaknesses and seeking the face of God for forgiveness and also for
healing of my own heart and reconciliation with others, either for the
wrongs that I've done, or for the wrongs that have been done to me.
It is not about getting even, being right, having all the answers, or
anything of the sort.

When our leaders acknowledge the importance of prayer, I think it says
something significant. We don't have to agree with everything they do
to agree that prayer is important. So I urge you, wherever you may be
today, to join together in prayer, if for no other reason than to
honor the One who has made us.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

**SPECIAL EDITION FOR THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, MAY 2, 2002**

The Presidential Prayer Team urges every member to join in an
unprecedented show of national spiritual unity by participating in the
National Day of Prayer, Thursday May 2. This is a unique opportunity
to show your support for the President and to unite with other
Americans before Almighty God. The theme this year is, "America
United Under God."

There is still time to download and print the free National Day of
Prayer Guide directly from our website. It offers a program to help
you in your observance with your family, church or Bible study group.

PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER REQUESTS
On this important day of seeking God and uniting in Him, the President
requests prayer for protection: pray for the safety of all American --
for the protection of our military personnel around the world. Pray
for President and Mrs. Bush and their extended family -- for God's
gracious care and powerful shielding.

Join with the President in giving thanks to Almighty God for the great
blessings we enjoy as a nation, and for the liberties that enable us
to observe the National Day of Prayer. Pray also for the moral and
spiritual renewal of our country, that our nation will return to God
in a revival of unprecedented scope.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER QUOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
"On this National Day of Prayer, I encourage Americans to remember the
words of St. Paul: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God.' The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended,
has called on our citizens to reaffirm the role of prayer in our
society and to honor the religious diversity our freedom permits by
recognizing annually a 'National Day of Prayer.'

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2, 2002, as a
National Day of Prayer. I ask Americans to pray for God's protection,
to express gratitude for our blessings, and to seek moral and
spiritual renewal. I urge all our citizens to join in observing this
day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities." --George
W. Bush, National Day of Prayer Proclamation 2002.

LEADERS TO PRAY FOR THIS WEEK
National Leaders:
President George W. Bush
Vice President: Dick Cheney
Cabinet Members:
Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul O'Neill, John Ashcroft, Gale
Norton, Ann Veneman, Don Evans, Elaine Chao, Norman Mineta, Spencer
Abraham, Rod Paige, Anthony Principi, Tommy Thompson, Mel Martinez,
Tom Ridge.

Members of the House and Senate of the United States
All branches of the Armed Services
The U.S. Supreme Court, Federal and Appellate Courts
State Leaders: Governors, Lt. Governors, State Senators, State
Representatives, State Supreme Court Justices
Local Leaders: Mayor, County Officials, Court Officials, City
Officials, Judges, Police Departments, Fire Departments, School
authorities (public and private)

PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER QUOTE
"We can all pray. We all should pray. We should ask the fulfillment
of God's will. We should ask for courage, wisdom, for the quietness
of soul which comes alone to them who place their lives in His hands."
--Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States

******************************************************************************
JOIN WITH MILLIONS OF AMERICANS IN PRAYING THIS NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
UNIFYING PRAYER FOR AMERICA AT 12:00 PM EDT, THURSDAY, MAY 2. THE
PRAYER WAS WRITTEN BY PPT HONORARY COMMITTEE MEMBER DR. LLOYD OGILVIE,
CHAPLAIN OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
******************************************************************************

NATIONAL PRAYER FOR THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
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.

INSPIRATIONAL REFERENCE OF THE WEEK
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for
his inheritance." The Bible Psalm 33:12 (NIV)

WORDS FROM THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE HONORARY COMMITTEE
"Praying for our President and our nation isn't just a nice
though--it's biblical. Jesus instructed us to do just that."
--J.C. Watts, Congressman from Oklahoma

DON'T MISS THIS VERY SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY TO UNITE WITH PRAYING
AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY!
The Presidential Prayer Team will be participating in 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.

PRAYER QUOTE FROM AN AMERICAN PATRIOT
"I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly
supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world?that the confusions that
are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting
and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established."
--Samuel Adams, American Revolutionist and signer of the Declaration
of Independence

FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
"As we observe the annual National Day of Prayer? 'America United
Under God' is our theme?emphasizing our Creator's sovereignty over all
governments and men and highlighting our country's renewed patriotism
and unity. Psalm 46:1 underscores this idea: 'God is our refuge and
strength, and ever-present help in trouble.' I hope you will plan now
to set aside a portion of this special day to attend a local prayer
event or spend time in private prayer. As President George W. Bush
has stated, 'Prayer has comforted us in sorrow and will help
strengthen us for the journey ahead.'" --Shirley Dobson, Chairman,
National Day of Prayer

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 of Prayer, 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.

OTHER IMPORTANT NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER WEBSITES
National Day of Prayer: www.nationaldayofprayer.org
Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer: www.concertofprayer.org

SPECIAL EVENT OF INTEREST TO ALL MEMBERS. PLAN NOW TO BE THERE!
On Memorial Day weekend (May 22-24), the National Mall in Washington,
DC will be the site for the AMERICAN WORSHIP GATHERING. The event is
co-sponsored by The Presidential Prayer Team. Many of our country's
best-loved Christian artists and worship leaders will join together at
the Washington Monument at the west end of the Mall. Those scheduled
to appear include Jeff Deyo, Jaci Velasquez, Lenny LeBlanc, Crystal
Lewis, Don Moen and many others. Lisa Beamer, widow of 9-11 hero Todd
Beamer will also participate.

The main concert will be held on Saturday May 25th from 2:00-8:00 pm
EDT and will be broadcast live via satellite across the country (check
local listings). In addition to the event on the National Mall, there
will be PRAISE & WORSHIP CELEBRATION Concerts on Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday night in nearby Constitution Hall. For more information, see
www.worshipalliance.com. This could be the largest worship event of
the year!

FEATURED PRAYER RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
The Power of a Praying Nation, by Stormie Omartian. When you pray for
our nation, God will change things-and He will change you in a way
that will touch your country. Stormie Omartian is the author of
several bestselling books on prayer, including The Power of a Praying
Parent, and The Power of a Praying Wife. Click here to order.
216.157.79.173/bookstore/index.htm.

______________________________________________

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
the email list may also be removed from the membership decal mailing
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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