President Delivers Remarks on the National Day of Prayer
The East Room
7:47 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming, thanks for the warm welcome.
I'm glad you're here at the people's house. Laura and I welcome you,
we're really pleased to have you here. I want to thank each of you for
participating in the National Day of Prayer. It's a good time to be
praying -- every day is a good day to pray. (Laughter.)
Today we recognize the many ways our country has been blessed, and
we acknowledge the source of those blessings. Millions of Americans
seek guidance every day in prayer to the Almighty God. I am one of
them. I also know that many Americans remember Laura and me in their
prayers, and we are so very, very grateful.
I want to thank General Hicks, Chaplain of the entire U.S. Army,
for being here today, and thank you for your service. Shirley, thank
you, as well, for once again being the Chairwoman of the National Day
of Prayer. I see your brought your husband along, too. (Laughter.)
Luis, muchas gracias, thank you for your beautiful prayer. Father
Joe Wallroth is going to be with us in a second; I'm honored you are
here, Father.
I really want to thank the Washington National Cathedral Choir of
men and girls, it is a fabulous way to begin a morning, to walk down
the corridor here and hear your beautiful voices echo throughout this
magnificent house. We're really glad you're here, and thank you for
-- thank you for sharing your talents.
Julie, thank you, as well, for coming. Gosh, I could have sat here
and listened all day to your singing. (Laughter.)
We've got a lot of military chaplains who are here. I want to
thank you for your service to your country and to those who wear the
uniform. You make a tremendous difference in the lives, the daily
lives of people who are frightened and lonely and worried and strong
and courageous. I appreciate so very much what you have done and will
continue to do.
So many great events in our nation's history were shaped by men and
women who found strength and direction in prayer. The first President
to live in this house composed a prayer on his second evening here for
all who would follow him. Our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, knew
that his burdens were too great for any man, so he carried them to God
in prayer. Over the radio on D-Day in 1944, Franklin Roosevelt prayed
for God's blessing on our mission to "set free a suffering humanity."
This past month has been another time of testing for America and
another time of intense prayer. Americans have been praying for the
safety of our troops and for the protection of innocent life in Iraq.
Americans prayed that war would not be necessary, and now pray that
peace will be just and lasting.
We continue to pray for the recovery of the wounded and for the
comfort of all who have lost a loved one. The Scriptures say: the
Lord is near to all who call on him. Calling on God in prayer brings
us nearer to each other. After his son was rescued from northern Iraq,
the father of Sergeant James Riley of New Jersey said, "We have been
flooded with people's prayers. Everyone is praying for us and we are
so grateful."
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, many Americans have registered
online to adopt a serviceman or woman in prayer. Others wear prayer
bracelets to remind themselves to intercede on behalf of our troops.
In Fountain City, Wisconsin, Lynn Cox has collected at least 80 bibles
to send to those serving in Iraq. In Green, Ohio, a group of
parishioners at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church has made 2,000 rosaries
for our troops. Margaret Brown, who helped start the group, said, "We
want them to know that someone back here is holding them up in prayer,
and that God is so powerful He can supply all their needs."
To pray for someone else is an act of generosity. We set our own
cares aside and look to strengthen another. Prayer teaches humility.
We find that the plan of the Creator is sometimes very different from
our own. Yet, we learn to depend on His loving will, bowing to
purposes we don't always understand. Prayer can lead to a grateful
heart, turning our minds to all the gifts of life and to the great
works of God.
Prayer can also contribute to the life of our nation. America is a
strong nation, in part because we know the limits of human strength.
All strength must be guided by wisdom and justice and humility. We
pray that God will grant us that wisdom, that sense of justice and that
humility in our current challenges, and in the years ahead.
I thank you all for helping to keep prayer an integral part of our
national life. May God bless each one of you, and may God continue to
bless the United States of America. (Applause.)