All the Bible verses in this edition of The Presidential Prayer Team
for Kids Update are from The New Living Translation of the Bible.
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  • The National Day of Prayer—it’s almost here!
  • Presidents urge you to pray for our country! Read what they say here!
  • Teacher of the Year—see her here!

Things to pray for
President and Mrs. Bush welcomed to the White House America’s top teacher, Kim Oliver, and presented her with the 2006 Teacher of the Year Award. Pray for America’s teachers—including those who teach you day after day, that they excel in their efforts and will honor Him as they do! Photo courtesy of the White House.

  1. All kinds of big issues are facing the President and his team right now! Big issues like high gasoline prices, immigration reform and our national budget are on everyone’s mind. So it’s a great time to pray—because God knows all about these issues, and He cares about them too. So we can pray for President Bush and members of Congress as they work on these big issues, asking God to show them very specifically the very best ways to solve these problems—and to do so in a way that helps all Americans and honors Him at the same time!
  2. This week, President and Mrs. Bush hosted the top teachers in America in a special ceremony at the White House Rose Garden. And the person who was judged to be the very best teacher in our country was given a special award and many valuable prizes. So we can tell God “Thanks!” for all the fantastic teachers that help us learn every day, and we can pray for all of them to listen to Him and honor Him as they teach us. We can also pray for Kim Oliver of Maryland, asking God to encourage her as she spends this coming year encouraging other teachers as well. Pray that the end result of all this will be that all kids in America get the very best education they can.
  3. Since the National Day of Prayer is almost here, we need to pray that huge numbers of Americans will take time to pray—in groups, or alone, at schools, churches, public parks or other places—calling out to God to being revival and repentance to our country. Pray that kids, especially will get excited about NDOP and that they will, above all, pray!
  4. Our troops are still working hard all over the world, serving the cause of freedom and protecting our liberties while they help to strengthen democracy in the Middle East—Iraq especially. They count on us, so we must pray for every member of our military to have God’s powerful protection covering them as they serve, and for their families and loved ones be comforted as they sacrifice for America’s well-being.

Leaders to pray for
Josh Bolten has worked as a part of President Bush’s team for quite some time. The Chief of Staff must have a very good working relationship with the President and must keep him on schedule every moment of the day! Photo courtesy of the White House.

White House Chief of Staff—Josh Bolten
Josh Bolten became President Bush’s Chief of Staff just this month, stepping up to that position as Andy Card stepped down.

As Chief of Staff, Josh Bolten holds one of the most important positions on the President’s team. He is the person who makes sure that all the things the President wants to do—from the people he meets with to the places he goes and the policies he enacts—get accomplished. The modern-day White House is a really complicated place, and the Chief of Staff is the person who keeps everything organized, coordinated and moving smoothly.

Josh Bolten has served in a variety of positions in the government and private jobs too. He’s worked in the White House, on presidential campaigns, and with different law firms. He’s even worked for the State Department!

Mr. Bolten received his B.A. from Princeton University (1976) and his J.D. from Stanford Law School (1980), where he was an editor of the Stanford Law Review. Immediately after law school, he served as a law clerk at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. During the fall semester of 1993, Mr. Bolten taught international trade at Yale Law. So you can tell he’s a very smart man and a terrific guy to have serving our country! Mr. Bolten loves to bowl and is known for taking his staff to the bowling alley to blow off steam, and he likes to ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he’s not working. Josh Bolten is single and lives in Washington.

Stephen Johnson is the first true scientist to run the EPA. He needs our prayers as he works to protect our air, water and land. Photo courtesy of the White House.

EPA Administrator—Stephen L. Johnson
Stephen L. Johnson is the leader of our country’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As the first professional scientist to lead this department, Stephen Johnson will work to set very clear standards for the quality of our environment—that includes our air, water and land. He will use his experience and knowledge as a scientist to make decisions and set policies, and will work to improve our planet while trying not to limit business and industry too much, because that could create difficulties for our economy. He and his team are also responsible to see that our natural resources are used wisely. He will listen to those living closest to the land, because they know our environmental needs best.

He has worked with Congress on President Bush’s Clear Skies Initiative to reduce power plant pollution by 70 percent, without disrupting the economy or raising electricity prices. He will also work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to keep our food supply safe.

Steve Johnson brings 24 years of experience at the EPA, where he has worked since almost the start of that department. As he jumps into his new position as Administrator of the EPA, he will rely on the support and encouragement of his wife, Debbie and their children and grandchildren. Mr. Johnson was born on March 21, 1951 in Washington, DC. He received a B.A. in Biology from Taylor University in Indiana and an M.S. in Pathology from George Washington University, Washington, DC.

Bible Verse of the week

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
—II Chronicles 7:14

Let us learn together what is good.
—Job 34:4

Next Thursday, May 4 is the National Day of Prayer, a day when millions of Americans, from schoolchildren to the President will join together to lift our nation before God in earnest and heartfelt prayer. Your participation in this vital event is needed so greatly, for it is through prayer, and prayer alone that God will do the mighty work of returning our nation to Himself. Won’t you join with millions? Here are several dynamic resources to inspire you to pray:

Online Prayer Rally—Choose your time slot now.
Downloadable Prayer Guide—Pray informed!
More PPT Prayer Resources
NDOP Website
NDOP Honorary ChairHenry Blackaby’s Website

With Liberty we lift our hands
beseeching God to bless our land
and guide our leaders to a place
where righteousness prevails.

With Liberty we stand erect
although ashamed and circumspect
about the countless times we’ve failed
to stand for what is right.

With Liberty we raise a flame
confessing that we are to blame
for how we’ve bowed to tolerance
and closed our eyes to truth.

With Liberty we dodge the tide
that splashes us from side to side
and keep our heads above the fray
that harbors culture’s lies.

With Liberty we clutch a book
without concern for how we look
when critics see us with God’s Word
and simply roll their eyes.

With Liberty we lift our eyes
and look into the spacious skies
to seek God’s vision and His peace
and focus on His grace.

by Greg Asimakoupoulos

2006 National Prayer
Dr. Henry Blackaby

Oh Heavenly Father, You have made Yourself known to us as a nation by Your mighty works throughout our history. From the beginning, You have been with us through many wars and conflicts; Your right arm has saved us. We have been amazingly and graciously blessed.

Today, we confess our sin of not responding to Your right to rule in our lives and our nation. Too often we have despised and rejected Your will while imposing our own, and we are now facing the consequences of our disobedience. Draw us back to Yourself that we may return to Your ways once again. Without You we can do nothing. You have promised that if we honor You, You will once again honor this great nation.

That is our fervent prayer. For Your honor and glory we pray, Amen.

The National Day of Prayer is such an important day, the President and Congress actually issue an official proclamation! As good citizens we are privileged to answer this call and to join with millions across America by praying on the National Day of Prayer, May 4, 2006. How will you be involved?

Note: As of publication deadline, the 2006 National Day of Prayer Proclamation had not yet been made available by the White House. It will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

National Day of Prayer, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Since our Nation's earliest days, prayer has given strength and comfort to Americans of all faiths. Our Founding Fathers relied on their faith to guide them as they built our democracy. Today, we continue to be inspired by God's blessings, mercy, and boundless love. As we observe this National Day of Prayer, we humbly acknowledge our reliance on the Almighty, express our gratitude for His blessings, and seek His guidance in our daily lives. Read more.

President Bush is only one of a long line of presidents who have both called for prayer and who have expressed their appreciation for our prayers. Photo courtesy of the White House.

Here at The Presidential Prayer Team for Kids, we talk a lot about the heritage of our country—the godly heritage of our country. We hope to teach kids how, from the earliest days of America, everyday citizens, leaders at every level and presidents alike, have turned to God for help and strength. We are fortunate to have records of the many times, ways and situations in which our presidents have called for prayer.

This week we will look at some of our country’s presidents, from the earliest days of the Colonies to now, and we will see how our presidents acknowledged prayer. Some expressed their love and appreciation for God, some called for citizens to humble themselves in prayer and fasting, some asked everyone to join them in prayers for peace. Regardless of their political views, age, circumstance or background, America’s presidents have called for us to join them in prayer.

This is a fact that can be shown by historical records. You many not learn about this in school, but you can learn all about prayer and the way our presidents have spoken up about prayer, right here!

This portrait shows George Washington as Commander of Revolutionary forces. Washington emerged as a leader in just about every group he was involved with! Image courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

George Washington was an extraordinary leader—some say he was the finest ever to serve our nation! And he did so with great dignity and excellence for many, many years. He began by fighting in the French and Indian War. Later he was the commander of Revolutionary forces in America’s conflict with Britain. He served in the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. He was unanimously elected President and again put his extraordinary leadership skills to work in further shaping the new government.

On Washington’s inaugural day, he first went to church to worship and ask God’s guidance and blessing. Later, during his swearing in, he placed his hand on a Bible (one that is still used for the inauguration of many presidents!). And it was Washington who began the tradition, still practiced today, of adding the words, “so help me God” to the oath of office.

These words, taken from George Washington’s inaugural address, reveal to us a bit about how he viewed God. Though his language is flowery, it speaks clearly of the priority he placed on his relationship with God, and shows how deeply he wanted all citizens to acknowledge the need for prayer as well as his own gratitude to God for how far He had brought our young nation.

Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own…
--George Washington, in his first inaugural address, April 30, 1789

QUESTION 1

Which of the following best explains what George Washington expressed about prayer in the quotation above?

  1. Since it was his first act as the country’s new president, he felt that he should not pray since the inauguration was in a public place.
  2. Since it was his very first act as the nation’s first president, he felt he must offer prayer before anything else.
  3. Since he was an elected government leader, he felt he should not offer prayer because it might confuse the issue of church and state.

QUESTION 2

What three things does President Washington say God does?

  1. He rules over the universe; He rules over the nations; He makes up for what we lack.
  2. He impresses us with His power; He demands our obedience; He insists on proper behavior before He will answer our prayers.
  3. He gives us all the liberty we can handle; He wants us to be utterly happy all the time; He doesn’t want any more people to come to the United States—it’s big enough as it is.

George Washington spoke often of God’s Providence. He was fond of telling others how God hand was on the young colonies as they struggled for freedom. Can you think of another great leader—someone in the Bible—who spoke of God’s Providence working things out for good? Hover here to read.

Portrait courtesy of the White House.

Abraham Lincoln was a man who made frequent references to God and faith. The following excerpt is from his Second Inaugural Address, a speech that some say is one of the finest ever written.

As Lincoln addresses the gathering, the nation is torn asunder by Civil War. He mentions prayer and faith repeatedly. Read his words and see what you think of them!

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.
--Abraham Lincoln, 2nd Inaugural Address

QUESTION 3

As you read carefully the words of President Lincoln, which of the following would you say is true?

  1. Abraham Lincoln understood that hope and earnest prayer go together.
  2. Abraham Lincoln believed that war is something people can pray about.
  3. Abraham Lincoln understood that our prayers must work together with God’s will.

Portrait courtesy of the White House.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt led our nation from 1933-1945. That’s a very long time! He watched as Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany rose to power, and eventually made the difficult decision to send our troops to war in Europe in order to defeat that extraordinary evil.

President Roosevelt was very good at using media to bring Americans together—and he loved to bring Americans together in prayer. On many occasions, he spoke of prayer in radio addresses—“Fireside Chats.” In the following excerpt, he speaks with the American people very openly about the concerns he prays for, knowing that the nation is tired and worried about war. His language is a bit easier to understand, so read his words and see how openly he speaks of his prayers and the prayers of the American people.

Day and night I pray for the restoration of peace in this mad world of ours. It is not necessary that I, the President ask the American people to pray in behalf of such a cause—for I know you are praying with me.

I am certain that out of the hearts of every man, woman and child in this land, in every waking minute, a supplication goes up to Almighty God; that all of us beg that suffering and starving, that death and destruction may end -- and that peace may return to the world. In common affection for all mankind, your prayers join with mine -- that God will heal the wounds and the hearts of humanity.
--Franklin D. Roosevelt, Radio Address, May 26, 1940 Delivered from the White House

QUESTION 4

True of False Franklin Roosevelt thought about asking Americans to join him in praying for peace, but he doesn’t bother, because he knows they are all praying for peace anyway.

  1. True
  2. False

Portrait courtesy of the Smithsonian.

Harry Truman was president in the years of recovery after WW II. He made the difficult decision to commit troops to fight Communist North Korea when they attacked South Korea. As the conflict there wore on, he called on Americans to take prayer seriously. President Truman offered many ideas about how we can pray!

But all of us--at home, at war, wherever we may be--are within reach of God's love and power. We all can 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. We should pray for a peace which is the fruit of righteousness. The Nation already is in the midst of a Crusade of Prayer. On the last Sunday of the old year, there will be special services devoted to a revival of faith. I call upon all of you to enlist in this common cause. I call upon you no matter what your spiritual allegiance.
--Harry S. Truman in remarks made at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, 1950, while the nation was at war in Korea

QUESTION 5

When you read President Truman’s words above, which of the following would you say is true?

  1. President Truman believed that in prayer we insist on the things we most want to feel fulfilled.
  2. President Truman believed that you couldn't be a good American without praying.
  3. President Truman understood that you can pray about almost anything, including courage, wisdom and peace of mind.

QUESTION 6

True or False President Truman spoke to Americans with the understanding that everyone was praying for our troops and for the restoration of peace in our world.

  1. True
  2. False

Portrait courtesy of the White House.

George W. Bush, our current president, is a man of prayer and faith. He has often called Americans to prayer, and he frequently expresses his thanks for your prayers, as he does in the following quotation.

Every day, millions of Americans pray for the safety of our troops, for the protection of innocent life, and for the peace we all hope for. Americans continue to pray for the recovery of the wounded, and to pray for the Almighty's comfort on those who have lost a loved one. We give thanks daily for the brave and decent men and women who wear our nation's uniform, and we thank their families, as well.

In this country, we recognize prayer is a gift from God to every human being. It is a gift that allows us to come before our Maker with heartfelt requests and our deepest hopes. Prayer reminds us of our place in God's creation. It reminds us that when we bow our heads or fall to our knees, we are all equal and precious in the eyes of the Almighty.

In prayer, we're reminded we're never alone in our personal trials or individual suffering. In prayer, we offer our thanksgiving and praise, recognizing our lives, our talents and all that we own ultimately flow from the Creator. And in these moments of our deepest gratitude, the Almighty reminds us that for those to whom much has been given, much is required.
--President George W. Bush, National Prayer Breakfast, February 2, 2006

We hope you get the idea from this week’s update! As we approach the 55th official observance of the National Day of Prayer, it’s important to remember that American presidents have been people of prayer, and they have graciously enjoyed the prayers of the nation, both for themselves and for the problems and challenges our country has faced. Each of the men we looked at this week showed how clearly he appreciates and relies on prayer.

As a kid who prays, we think it’s really important that you understand this! And as a kid who prays, remember that you are a part of a great and faith-filled nation that has always looked to God for help and strength. Your prayers also may qualify YOU to be president one day.

As you pray on May 4 and as you continue to learn more and more about the great heritage of faith in our country, be sure to thank God for leaders who love and honor Him, and be sure to pray for our President and other leaders who rely on your prayers so much!

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