FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2002
A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
"Since our Nation's founding,
Americans have turned to prayer for inspiration,
strength and guidance.
In times of trial, we ask God for wisdom, courage,
direction and comfort.
We offer thanks for the countless blessings God has
provided. And we thank
God for sanctifying every human life by creating each
of us in His image. As
we observe this National Day of Prayer, we call upon
the Almighty to continue to
bless America and her people.
Especially since September 11,
millions of Americans have been led to prayer.
They have prayed for comfort
in a time of grief, for understanding in a time
of anger and for protection
in a time of uncertainty. We have all seen God's
great faithfulness to our country.
America's enemies sought to weaken and
destroy us through acts of terror.
None of us would ever wish on anyone what
happened on September 11th.
Yet tragedy and sorrow none of us would choose
have brought forth wisdom, courage
and generosity. In the face of terrorist
attacks, prayer provided Americans
with hope and strength for the journey
ahead.
God has blessed our Nation beyond
measure. We give thanks for our families
and loved ones, for the abundance
of our land and the fruits of labor, for our
inalienable rights and liberties
and for a great Nation that leads the world
in efforts to preserve those
rights and liberties. We give thanks for all
those across the world who have
joined with America in the fight against
terrorism. We give thanks
for the men and women of our military, who are
fighting to defend our Nation
and the future of civilization.
We continue to remember those
who are suffering and face hardships. We pray
for peace throughout the world.
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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand this twenty-sixth day of
April, in the year of our Lord
two thousand two, and of the Independence of
the United States of America
the two hundred and twenty-sixth."
GEORGE W. BUSH
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For more information on the National
Day of Prayer and to find an event in
your area, please go to
www.nationaldayofprayer.org.