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It’s been a sad week in America, but kids who pray know what to do!
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Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan—what did they have in common?
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The National Day of Prayer is coming May 3—are you ready?
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Kids and adults alike turned to prayer and praise to understand the tragedy that took place on the campus of Virginia Tech this week. Did you take time to pray? Remember that if you come to God with your questions, He will be glad to hear them! He is glad to hear your prayers. Photo courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse. |
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This has been a sad week for America. You’ve probably heard by now that a young man whose mind and heart were very troubled shot 32 people on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, VA. These people left behind many loved ones, years of hopes and dreams and a campus full of people who cared very much about them. The VT campus community is very sad. But so is the whole country. As kids who pray, this is a time for us to rise up and pray for the victims’ families and friends, for the entire community of Blacksburg and for our country, asking God to bring His comfort, strength and healing.
The Presidential Prayer Team has created a special website where you can offer your prayers for the Virginia Tech community. Check with your mom or dad and click HERE to see the PPT Prayer Wall and to post your special prayer.
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These students are taking time to pray for help and healing for the community of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA following the tragic shooting of 32 students and faculty on April 16. Remember to pray for everyone impacted by this tragedy—which is pretty much everyone in the country, because it has hit us all very hard. In times of sadness we must remember how much God loves us! Photo courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse. |
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Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has brought together a really talented group of people to investigate what happened at Virginia Tech this week. These people will work very hard to learn everything that can be learned from the tragedy so that problems can be avoided in the future. So it is a very good time to pray for the members of the Governor’s review panel as they seek ways to help prevent future tragedies on our school campuses. Pray for great wisdom, creativity and curiosity so their efforts can help many people.
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When sad things like the Virginia Tech tragedy happen in our country, there is often a good side too, though it is sometimes hard to see. God always brings good out of the very worst things that happen—it’s one of His best things! People turn to God when there is crisis. They seek help and comfort and understanding from Him. That means this is a very good time to pray for everyone to be able to see the good that God will bring from the tragedy. Pray that those who turn to Him for help will find that help. Pray that everyone in America will pray more often because of this tragedy too.
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Governor Tim Kaine has called for a group of people to investigate the tragedy at Virginia Tech this week. Pray for these people as they try to understand what happened so it will never happen again. Photo courtesy of the Commonwealth of Virginia. |
- The National Day of Prayer is coming on May 3! Are you ready? It’s a very good time to pray that many, many people will get involved and will tell others about it so we can have as many people praying as possible! You can even plan an event yourself! And you can participate in PPT’s very special Online Prayer Rally too! Click to get started and sign up for your own time slot to pray with your mom or dad or youth leader or friends! We have many terrific resources you can use, and best of all, they are free! Be sure to ask your mom or dad and check them out HERE.
- Our troops keep serving our nation with strength and faithfulness. We must remember to pray for all the members of our military as they serve faithfully. Pray that they will be safe, will be encouraged and will be able to do their jobs very well, no matter where they serve our country.
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Photo of Director McConnell courtesy of the White House. |
Director of National Intelligence--Mike McConnell
Mike McConnell has served our nation as the Director of National Intelligence since January 2007. In this position, he serves President Bush by advising him on matters of national security. He briefs the President regularly on any threats to America.
Mike McConnell also works with his team to coordinate the efforts of our country’s 17 intelligence agencies which include the National Security Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, Special Operations Command, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service, the military branch intelligence agencies and more.
Mike McConnell was commissioned as an officer in the Navy in 1967 and served tours of duty as an intelligence officer in Vietnam, Japan, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean. He later served as senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense as Director for Joint Staff Intelligence.
Mr. McConnell holds a B.A. in Economics from Furman University and a Master's of Public Administration from George Washington University, as well as a Master's of Science in Strategic Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence College.
Born July 26, 1943, in Greenville, SC, he is a retired Vice Admiral of the U.S. Navy, and was the director of the National Security Agency between May 1992 and January 1996. He is married to Theresa and has two step daughters and two daughters by a previous marriage.
Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines.”
--Jeremiah 31:3-4
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
--II Corinthians 1:3-5
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PPT Kids’ prayers work together to help President Bush. Photo courtesy of the White House. |
 As a kid who prays, you know how important prayer is, right? It is the greatest privilege we children of God have--talking to Him and telling Him how wonderful He is and asking for His help with things. We do all that and more when we pray.
As a kid who prays for the President, you also understand that your prayers are history-making prayers because they move God’s hand, and He helps the President and our country. Your prayers have helped America’s efforts in Iraq, they have helped keep our military troops safe, and they have helped the President make good decisions. Thank you for being faithful in prayer!
Your prayers are made more effective because you join them with all the other kids who are members of The Presidential Prayer Team for Kids. Your prayers, combined with the prayers of others (for the same request) are really powerful! Because we are all part of the same team, our prayers join together to show God how sincere we are about the things we are praying for.
The National Day of Prayer—set for May 3 this year—is like that. By getting the whole country together to pray on one day, we are showing God how very much we want Him to hear our prayers and answer them. It’s like asking the whole country to become a prayer team for the day!
Did you know that when you are faithful in prayer, it triggers God’s faithfulness in answering. It really does! Click here to read a Bible verse that tells about this.
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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!
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Portrait of George Washington courtesy
of the Smithsonian Institution. |
Since the earliest days of our country, there have been national days of prayer. George Washington was the first person to call for a day when everyone would stop all the other things they were doing and come together in prayer. But Washington didn’t want the Colonists to simply pray--he also asked for them to humble themselves and to fast (do without food) and to confess all their wrongdoings. Washington believed that God would look upon the Colonists and see the sincerity of their hearts and would help them with their cause.
Hover HERE to read George Washington’s orders for a Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer.
When George Washington asked everyone to humble themselves before God and pray for our nation, he was echoing some great words from Scripture. Do you know where to find them? Hover HERE to read.
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Portrait of Benjamin Franklin courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery. |
Just a few years later, the Constitutional Convention was struggling to decide on the laws that would shape our government--especially how both large states and smaller states could be fairly represented. There were so many different ideas, they could not agree on what to do. The delegates were arguing and getting very discouraged--some had even left the meeting. Just when it looked as though they might fail in their efforts, Benjamin Franklin stood up and spoke to them all. At age 80, he was very respected by the other members. He reminded them how often they called on God for help during the Revolution. He said that they must remember God and keep Him right in the center of their efforts or it would all be for nothing. He called for prayers, and from then on, the Constitutional Convention had prayer during their sessions, starting the very next day. God helped them to create one of the most amazing governmental documents ever--the United States Constitution.
To read Ben Franklin’s words as recorded by James Madison, click HERE.
When Ben Franklin mentions the “Sacred Writings” he is talking about our Bible! Do you know where to find the Scripture verse he mentions? Hover HERE to read this verse.
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Portrait of Abraham Lincoln courtesy
of the Smithsonian Institution. |
Abraham Lincoln was another president who believed that God would truly hear and answer our prayers if we got together as a country and asked for His help. When he was president, the nation was really in bad shape. We were divided over the issue of slavery and some thought that we would never be united again. Lincoln knew that God would help America if her people were willing to cry out to Him in prayer. So Lincoln did as many other presidents had done and issued a presidential proclamation asking everyone to pray!
To read part of Abraham Lincoln’s Presidential Proclamation for a Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, issued March 20, 1863, click HERE.
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President Harry Truman signed the first formal proclamation for the National Day of Prayer. Then President Ronald Reagan formalized the day as the first Thursday in May. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress. |
If we fast forward to the 20th century, we learn that President Harry S. Truman issued the first formal proclamation for a National Day of Prayer after Congress officially asked him to do so. In 1988 the date was formally set for the first Thursday in May, as it has been observed ever since. You’ve learned about Harry Truman, right? He was a godly man who 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! Here are some of his words:
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
If you never thought about observing the National Day of Prayer before, this is a great time to start! You can get some kids together at your school, or at your church. Or you may just want to invite some of the kids in your neighborhood over for a time of prayer for our country.
Here are some kid-friendly ideas to observe this big, important day. You can start these things right away!
- Decorate bikes with red, white and blue and ride around your neighborhood reminding people to pray for the country.
- Decorate the windows of your home with red, white and blue and put a sign on your front door that says, “We’re celebrating the National Day of Prayer.” Be ready to tell anyone who asks how you are going to observe the day.
- Get the names of the local officials of your town or city so you can pray for them.
- Pray the news! Look through the newspaper with your mom or dad’s help and pray for the different needs you see there, especially where government officials are involved.
- Make a special prayer calendar using a blank calendar page (you can find one in most computer programs, or, just make one up by yourself).
- Invent some of your own prayer reminders and give them to your friends at church, school or in your neighborhood. A prayer reminder is anything that helps you remember to pray whenever you see it. Here are some ideas:
- Create stickers on your computer.
- Paint a rock with a flag or some other patriotic theme.
- Draw or paint a picture of the president for your bulletin board or wall.
- Get red, white and blue shoelaces and pray whenever you look down!
- Help your mom decorate your table with a patriotic theme.
- Make a Day of Prayer placemat and laminate it. Use all year ‘round!
Written by Dr. Charles R. Swindoll
Almighty God, we pause to reflect on Your character as we seek wisdom for such a time as this. In these unsafe days, You remain all-powerful and able to protect; . In these uncertain times, You remain all-knowing, leading us aright; In the unprecedented events we're facing, You remain absolutely sovereign. our times are in Your hands. Therefore, our dependence on You, is total, not partial . . our need for Your forgiveness is constant
. . . our gratitude for Your grace is profound . . . our love for You is deep.
We ask that You guard and guide our President and all who serve the people of these United States. May uncompromising integrity mark their lives. We also ask that You unite us as truly "one nation, under God." May genuine humility return to our ranks. And may that blend of integrity and humility heal our land. In our Lord's name we pray,
Amen.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following best explains what George Washington expressed about prayer in the quotation above?
QUESTION 2
What three things does President Washington say God does?
QUESTION 3
As you read carefully the words of President Lincoln, which of the following would you say is true?
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.
QUESTION 5
When you read President Truman’s words above, which of the following would you say is true?
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.
Isn’t it great to be a kid who prays? It’s times like these that we know exactly where to turn. We may be confused or sad or full of questions, just like other kids are, but we know where to go with those questions! We take them to our loving Heavenly Father who is always at work and who always brings good from everything.
When we experience times like we did this week, when our whole country feels sadness together, it is really good to remember our faith in God and to keep trusting in Him. We can rely on Him to keep us safe and to show us His love in many, many ways.
Would you like to offer feedback on PPT for Kids? Write to your editor: Editor@presidentialprayerteam.org. |
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