National Day of Prayer, 2008

Proclamation 8242 of April 21, 2008

National Day of Prayer, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America trusts in the abiding power of prayer and asks
for the wisdom to discern God's will in times of joy
and of trial. As we observe this National Day of
Prayer, we recognize our dependence on the Almighty, we
thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon
us, and we put our country's future in His hands.

From our Nation's humble beginnings, prayer has guided
our leaders and played a vital role in the life and
history of the United States. Americans of many
different faiths share the profound conviction that God
listens to the voice of His children and pours His
grace upon those who seek Him in prayer. By
surrendering our lives to our loving Father, we learn
to serve His eternal purposes, and we are strengthened,
refreshed, and ready for all that may come.

On this National Day of Prayer, we ask God's continued
blessings on our country. This year's theme, ``Prayer!
America's Strength and Shield,'' is taken from Psalm
28:7, ``The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart
trusts in him, and I am helped.'' On this day, we pray
for the safety of our brave men and women in uniform,
for their families, and for the comfort and recovery of
those who have been wounded.

The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has
called on our Nation to reaffirm the role of prayer in
our society by recognizing each year a ``National Day
of Prayer.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1,
2008, 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, comfort, and
protection. I invite all Americans to join in observing
this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.