In his first Inaugural Address, President George
Washington prayed that the Almighty would preserve the freedom of
all Americans. On the National Day of Prayer, we celebrate that
freedom and America's great tradition of prayer. The National Day
of Prayer encourages Americans of every faith to give thanks for
God's many blessings and to pray for each other and our Nation.
Prayer is an opportunity to praise God for His mighty works, His
gift of freedom, His mercy, and His boundless love. Through prayer,
we recognize the limits of earthly power and acknowledge the sovereignty
of God. According to Scripture, "the Lord is near to all who
call upon Him . . . He also will hear their cry, and save them."
Prayer leads to humility and a grateful heart, and it turns our
minds to the needs of others.
On this National Day of Prayer, we pray especially for the brave
men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are serving
around the world to defend the cause of liberty. We are grateful
for their courage and sacrifice and ask God to comfort their families
while they are away from home. We also pray that the people of Iraq
and Afghanistan, and throughout the Greater Middle East, may live
in safety and freedom. During this time, we continue to ask God's
blessing for our Nation, granting us strength to meet the challenges
ahead and wisdom as we work to build a more peaceful future for
all.
The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on our
citizens to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society by recognizing
annually a "National Day of Prayer."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim May 6, 2004, as a National Day of
Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according
to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have
received and for God's continued guidance and protection. I also
urge all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day
of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.