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.