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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  • Free eCard you can send your pastor or youth pastor for Clergy Appreciation Month.
  • Election Day is coming and kids can Pray the Vote—get involved now!
  • Great quotes from great Americans on voting!

Things to pray for

President Bush stopped by a pumpkin stand during a visit to Richmond, VA last week and joked that he was choosing a pumpkin for First Lady Laura Bush. Pray for safety and protection for the President as he continues to travel the country in support of various candidates. Photo courtesy of the White House.
  1. Pray for President Bush as he continues to lead America’s efforts in Iraq. As Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, he is ultimately responsible for our work there, along with the commanders on the ground. Working with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Peter Pace and generals who lead, he takes full responsibility for what is happening there. So pray for him as he leads in this challenging time, and ask God to help him know exactly what to do so he and his advisors will know how to proceed at every point.

  2. The elections are coming up very soon! On November 7, Americans will vote into office those who will lead in Congress and at many other levels for the coming years. This is a fantastic time for kids in America to pray, because these people will lead your country—not just your parent’s country! So it is a great time to pray for the November 7 elections asking God to raise up leaders who will honor Him and try very hard to do His will. Pray that Christians will get informed about the issues and will pray before they vote. Pray also that many, many people will get involved in PPT’s Online Prayer Rally initiative and will pray, especially on Election Eve, November 6. See below for info on the OPR!

  3. There are only a few more days left in Clergy Appreciation Month! But there is still plenty of time for you to pray for your pastor, youth leader, choir director or other clergy person who serves you and helps you grow in your Christian faith! In fact, PPT has a great resource you can use. See below. Thank God for everyone who ministers to you spiritually, and pray for their physical and spiritual well-being.

  4. Our troops are working very hard in Iraq. They are dealing with a very sneaky enemy in a whole new kind of warfare, and it requires them to be on their guard at every moment. Their biggest dangers are IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices) and snipers (Those who shoot an exposed enemy from a concealed position.). Pray for God’s powerful protection for each one, and pray that they will succeed in every effort. Pray for their families and friends back home as they make great sacrifices for the cause of freedom.

Leaders to pray for


Secretary of the Treasury—Henry Paulson

Photo of Secretary Paulson courtesy of the White House.

Henry M. Paulson, Jr. is our nation’s 74th Secretary of the Treasury. In this position, he is President Bush’s main advisor on anything that has to do with America’s economy. With his team at the Department of the Treasury, he is responsible for managing our country’s finances, collecting taxes and paying bills for our country, producing our postage stamps, paper money and coins, overseeing America’s banks, enforcing tax laws and much more. That is a very big job!

Mr. Paulson has a great background for this position. He has held several jobs with many responsibilities in business and finance. He has worked with huge companies like Goldman Sachs and also in government positions at the White House Domestic Council and the Pentagon.

Henry Paulson is from the rolling, green Chicago suburb of Barrington, IL where he still has a farm. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College (NH) where he had an extraordinary career in both academics and sports. He also has a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard. He and his wife, Wendy, have two children, Amanda and Merritt. Secretary Paulson is a devout Christian Scientist and especially enjoys bird watching and getting out to observe wildlife in his spare time.


Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy—John Walters

Portrait of Drug Czar John Walters courtesy of the White House.

Have you ever heard of the Office of National Drug Control Policy? It is a great team that fights illegal drugs and drug addiction in our country. Their efforts are especially aimed at kids, but they work to help us all understand how really, really bad drugs can be, for everyone, and they work to keep kids involved in all kinds of good things so they won’t turn to drugs.

In his job as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Mr. John Walters has a lot of responsibility. He is often called the President’s “Drug Czar” because he fights the battle against drugs and drug dealers on behalf of our country. With his team, Mr. Walters works to greatly reduce the use, import, production and selling of drugs in America. One of the neatest ways Mr. Walters has helped kids resist drugs is with the “Anti-Drug” campaign which points out all kinds of things that kids can do that fill their lives with good things so they don’t feel so tempted to take drugs—everything from sports to pets to math to art. ONDCP also encourages kids and parents to talk about everything so they can keep their relationship strong. We think the ONDCP should add one more item to their list of anti-drugs—PRAYER! As you pray for John Walters and the ONDCP, remember to ask God to give them great wisdom, to help them in their daily work and pray that God will work to defeat all the forms of evil that make people turn to drugs.

Walters and his wife Mary have two daughters: Michaela and Rebecca.

But I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
—Psalm 69:13

You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
—John 16:24

The Presidential Prayer Team believes that pastors are among the most important people in our nation. So they really need our prayers, love and support to keep on serving God faithfully every day. To help you show your appreciation for your pastor, we’ve made a cool electronic greeting card you can send—for free! Be sure to ask your mom or dad’s permission to do this, and click HERE to get started.

Jonathan Edwards portrait courtesy of apuritansmind.com

If some Christians that have been complaining of their ministers had said and acted less before men and had applied themselves with all their might to cry to God for their ministers had, as it were, risen and stormed heaven with their humble, fervent, and incessant prayers for them, they would have been much more in the way of success.
--Jonathan Edwards, 18th century American preacher

The Presidential Prayer Team is inviting members to send their birthday greetings to First Lady Laura Bush on the occasion of her 60th birthday next month. Photo courtesy of the White House.

It’s your turn to say Happy Birthday to First Lady Laura Bush! We’ve made a fun and easy way that you can send your birthday wishes to Mrs. Bush in advance of her birthday on November 6. She’s turning 60 this year, so it’s an important occasion! Ask your mom or dad for permission to participate in this effort and click HERE to get started.

This little girl is reminding others to vote, even though she is too young to do so. Have you made sure that your mom and dad, grandma and grandpa and others in your life are going to vote? You may even want to talk to them about your views on the candidates or the issues. You may be surprised by how they listen! Photo courtesy of KidsVoteUSA.

On November 7, millions of Americans will go to their polling places to vote. Many more will vote via absentee ballot, some here at home and some in remote places all over the world! Voting is one of the greatest privileges in our country!

Now since you are a kid, you might be thinking, “I can’t vote, so why should I care about the elections? What difference will it make to me? ” If you feel that way, it’s understandable, but we want to encourage you to think again!

While it’s true that you cannot vote, that’s no reason to be uninterested in what’s happening in your country! It’s a bit like saying you can’t drive so why should you care about the safety or soundness of any car that you get into!

As a kid who prays, you’ve already made a promise to pray for the President and the leaders of our country. So it makes sense that you care about who our leaders will be, and that you pray that the leaders God wants in office are the ones elected! That’s what we’re talking about this week! Election Day is coming very soon, and now is the perfect time to pray for the elections as they take place all over our country.

This girl is finding out what it feels like to vote. Photo courtesy of Kids Vote.

Our leaders are important, not just because they go to Washington to represent us, but also because their decisions and policies shape our country. That’s right. The leaders in Washington play a big part in influencing the morals and values of America! They handle some of the most important issues that impact our country.

That’s why we must pray that the members of Congress and all our leaders will be people who honor God and His Word. We can pray that God will call into office those people who He chooses, and that the American people will cooperate with God and His highest plans for our country!

And remember that as a kid who prays, your prayers are as important and precious to God as anyone’s! He listens to your prayers, and they bring Him great joy! So remember to pray for the elections that will take place all across America on November 7!

Here are some key points to keep in mind as you pray:

  • Remembering that God is completely sovereign, pray for His will to be done!
  • Pray for people to long for godly leaders and to vote for those who will honor God and His Word.
  • Pray that Americans will be stirred in their hearts to pray and seek God’s will before they vote.
  • Pray for the safety of everyone as they make their way to polling places.
  • Pray that our country will be protected from anyone or anything that would try to hurt us in a big way in order to affect the outcome of the elections.
  • Pray for good weather across the country so that people can make it to their polling places without difficulty.
  • Pray that people will have generous spirits on Election Day, offering rides and other kinds of assistance to those who need help getting out to vote.
  • Pray that Christians will remember their responsibility and privilege and will enthusiastically get out and vote, thanking God for their freedom!

Voting is one of the most basic and important freedoms that our Founding Fathers fought for when they struggled so hard to gain independence from Britain! In a monarchy only the monarch—the king or queen—has a say in what goes on. In a democracy, the people decide—in part by electing leaders who will represent them fairly on the issues that are important to them. That’s why voting is so important!

America has been blessed with many godly leaders in the past. We thought it would be good to look at some of their words to get us thinking about—and appreciating—the great privilege of voting.

Portrait of Daniel Webster courtesy of the U.S. Senate.

If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes.
--Daniel Webster

QUESTION 1

Which of the following statements best explains how Daniel Webster felt about the character of those who are elected?

  1. Daniel Webster believed that anyone could be elected into public office, no matter what their beliefs. What’s important is that they get the job done.
  2. Daniel Webster felt citizens must get informed and fulfill their civic duty when go to the polling place.
  3. Daniel Webster believed that people with godly wisdom and high morals are the best people to put into public office because they will work the hardest to keep sin and corruption out of government.

When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government [a democracy] depends on the faithful discharge of this duty.
--Noah Webster

QUESTION 2

Which statement best sums up what Noah Webster is saying about the privilege of voting?

  1. Noah Webster said that we should elect the most impressive people to office.
  2. Noah Webster believed that people shouldn’t think about what God wants when they go to the polling place—they should just think about what they want.
  3. Noah Webster said that every voter should all take the responsibility seriously, voting for those who will act justly and honor God.
Portrait of Thomas Jefferson courtesy of the White House.

That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part.
--Thomas Jefferson

QUESTION 3

True or False
Thomas Jefferson believed that one vote is such a small thing that it does nothing to make people feel included in democracy.

  1. True
  2. False

Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual—or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.
--Samuel Adams

QUESTION 4

Which statement best explains Founding Father Samuel Adams’ thoughts on what people should be thinking about when they go to the polls?

  1. Samuel Adams believed that people should vote in a way that makes others happy.
  2. Samuel Adams believed people should be very solemn and quiet when they go to cast their vote.
  3. Samuel Adams believed that each individual’s vote is a matter between them and God, and that they should honor God with their vote.
Portrait of John Q. Adams courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.
--John Quincy Adams

QUESTION 5

True or False
John Quincy Adams believed that your vote will be lost if you go to the polling place alone.

  1. True
  2. False

If the people fail to vote, a government will be developed which is not their government…. The whole system of American Government rests on the ballot box. Unless citizens perform their duties there, such a system of government is doomed to failure.
--Calvin Coolidge

QUESTION 6

True or False
Calvin Coolidge believed that it was okay if people couldn’t get around to voting on Election Day. After all, the government is doomed to failure anyway.

  1. True
  2. False
Portrait of Dwight Eisenhower courtesy of the White House.

The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

QUESTION 7

True or False
Dwight D. Eisenhower believed that no matter what else people do in America, they must vote to have an effect on the future of our country.

  1. True
  2. False

In a world that might say one vote doesn't matter..., it does matter because each person is of infinite worth and value to God... Your vote is a declaration of importance as a person and a citizen.
--Billy Graham

QUESTION 8

True or False
Rev. Graham says that God’s view of us and our importance to Him are shown in the fact that our vote matters—to our country and to Him!

  1. True
  2. False

We have a duty to our country to participate in the political process. See, if you believe in freedom, you have a duty to exercise your right to vote to begin with. I'm [here] to encourage people to do their duty, to go to the polls. I want all people, no matter what their political party is or whether they even like a political party, to exercise their obligation to vote.
--George W. Bush

Prayer for our country is one of the best things we can do. God loves to hear our prayers!

America has a great tradition of calling for days of prayer for special occasions in the life of our country. From George Washington on, Americans have set aside special days to come before God for an important cause or purpose. When we do this we show God that we know we need His blessing.

That’s why The Presidential Prayer Team and The Presidential Prayer Team for Kids are calling for a day of prayer in advance of the November 7 elections. Taking full advantage of the technology available via the Internet, we’re hosting an Online Prayer Rally. That’s a prayer rally where everyone registers on our website and chooses a time slot when they will pray during that day. We don’t get together in a real room…we get together in a virtual room—praying all day for God’s blessing on the elections! Cool huh? We are all assembled together before the throne of God, regardless of our location! And that’s exactly where you want to be when you pray!

We want to invite you to be a part of the Online Prayer Rally on November 6. Be sure to ask your mom or dad or guardian, but once you do, you can go to this part of our website and pick a time when you’d like to pray. You can pray by yourself or with a family member or with friends from your church. The great thing is that you will be praying with thousands of others. Click HERE to get started.

This week we’d like to challenge everyone to consider sending to our wounded troops a word of encouragement, prayer, Scripture or just a note of thanks. In fact, we’ve created a special mini-poster you can use with our PPT mascot Patriot Pete! Click here to download.

Take a moment and draw a picture and write a few words to encourage the brave men and women at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Mail your mini-poster to: The Presidential Prayer Team for Kids, PO Box 89130, Tucson AZ 85752.

The Grinch might want your mom or dad or older siblings to think that their vote doesn’t matter. Share this poem with them, and then make sure they pray and vote on November 7!

by Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos

The Grinch asks, “Does one vote really make a difference?”

Election Day in Who-ville
finds the Grinch much like a goat.
He butts and taunts his neighbors
who are headed off to vote.

“Don’t waste your time! It’s foolish!”
Mr. Grinch is heard to chide.
“Casting ballots is baloney.
All you get is civic pride.”

“Do you really think that what you mark
and drop inside a drum
will help elect your candidate
when all is said and done?”

“And do you think the issues
that you’re so worked up about
will be decided by YOUR vote?
I doubt you have that clout!”

Yet all the while the Grinch well knows
how much elections mean.
It is a fact he must admit
(just like the fact he’s green).

Deep in his heart he knows the truth
about democracy.
Until we start to vote ourselves,
we lack integrity.

He knows we fight to give the world
our form of government.
But if we fail to practice it,
we prove we’re impudent.

by Greg Asimakoupoulos

A WORD TO PPT KIDS

We hope that you are really encouraged now that you’ve learned so much about voting and its importance in the future of America. Be sure to encourage everyone around you to vote on Tuesday, November 7. Ask your mom or dad if you can go to the polling place with them. It will be a great chance to see democracy in action! If you school has a Kids Vote program, be sure to get involved. And above all else, pray! Pray for the elections, and pray for the vote!

Want to tell us about your experience praying for the elections? Write meagan@presidentialprayerteam.org.

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