In adversity, Americans can find comfort through prayer, President Bush said May 1 in a White House observance of the 57th National Day of Prayer (NDP).
The observance was the eighth consecutive year Bush has spoken in the White House on the National Day of Prayer.
He was joined in the East Room by members of his Cabinet, members of Congress and military chaplains.
"As we pray for God’s continued blessings on our country, I think it makes sense to hope that one day there may be an International Day of Prayer," Bush suggested. "It will be a chance for people of faith around the world to stop at the same time to pause to praise an Almighty."
An observance was held in a House of Representatives office building in the afternoon of May 1 with remarks from this year’s NDP honorary chairman Ravi Zacharias, a noted Christian apologist.
The National Day of Prayer Task Force estimated that several million people would gather at more than 35,000 events across the nation as part of the observance, which this year was marked with the theme "Prayer! America’s Strength and Shield," based on Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped."
The National Day of Prayer Task Force reported that the governors of all 50 states issued proclamations regarding the day of prayer this year. Bush, in his proclamation April 22, asked Americans to thank God for the freedoms and blessings they have received and to ask for His continued guidance, comfort and protection. (BP)
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