National Day of Prayer, 2005

Proclamation 7896 of May 3, 2005

National Day of Prayer, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

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.

Throughout our history, our Nation has turned to prayer
for strength and guidance in times of challenge and
uncertainty. The Continental Congress, meeting in 1775,
asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a new
Nation. Throughout the Civil War, President Abraham
Lincoln issued exhortations to prayer, calling upon the
American people to humble themselves before their Maker
and to serve all those in need. At the height of World
War II, President Franklin Roosevelt led our citizens
in prayer over the radio, asking for God to protect our
sons in battle. Today, our Nation prays for those who
serve bravely in the United States Armed Forces in
difficult missions around the world, and we pray for
their families.

Across our country, Americans turn daily to God in
reverence. We ask Him to care for all those who suffer
or feel helpless, knowing that God sees their needs and
calls on us to meet them. As our first President wrote
in 1790, ``May the father of all mercies scatter light
and not darkness in our paths . . .''. As we face the
challenges of our times, God's purpose continues to
guide us, and we continue to trust in the goodness of
His plans.

The Congress by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has
called on our citizens to reaffirm the role of prayer
in our society and to honor the freedom of religion by
recognizing annually a ``National Day of Prayer.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 5,
2005, 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 liberty and blessings we have
received and for God's continued guidance and
protection. I also urge all Americans to join in
observing this day with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
third day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand
five, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B