1 of 6 10/10/2009 10:32 AM Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 Search Archives: Printer-friendly version. Tell a friend. Last week's issue. JOIN (free!) ABOUT Info Q&A Product Orders FAQ Board of Directors Honorary Committee Contact SUPPORT Give Store Founders President's Club PROMOTE Promote the Team! Tell-A-Friend Church Resources Radio Resources Press Releases DEPARTMENTS Radio Program Adopt Our Troops American Inspirations Archives SAVE MONEY AND HELP SUPPORT PPT Order your discount books and music here. A portion of each purchase will help support PPT. Book/Music Search: PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER REQUESTS FOR DECEMBER 24, 2003 This photo shows the entrance to the West Wing of the White House, decorated for Christmas and blanketed with snow. Photo courtesy of the White House. Pray for all the members of the President s team who are responsible for our national security. With the threat level increased to the Orange/High mark, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge is calling for greater vigilance on the part of all Americans particularly security professionals at every level FBI, CIA, police, fire and Border Patrol. Pray also for the governors, mayors and all local officials who may need to take further measures to defeat terrorist attacks. Pray that our nation will enjoy a safe and blessed holiday, free from attack and grounded in the protection and love of God. Pray for the President as he leads our nation into the New Year. Pray for him to constantly experience God s wisdom and to have clarity and insight into the deepest and most difficult issues with which he grapples. Pray for the members of his team who surround him with counsel and advice that they will be guided by God and will seek Him. Pray for the culture of life, morality and prayer to be strengthened in America in the coming year. TAKE THE PPT POLL Do you have a family member or loved one currently serving in the military? Click here to display the current poll results Past polls Send this poll to a friend ADDITIONAL LEADERS TO PRAY FOR THIS WEEK Secretary of Commerce Don Evans EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard B. Myers Photo of General Richard Myers courtesy of Joint Forces Command. AMERICA'S GODLY HERITAGE Roger Sherman was one of the most significant of all our Founding Fathers. A delegate to the Continental Congress from Connecticut, he

2 of 6 10/10/2009 10:32 AM Click here Member Service Center: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (MST) Special Holiday Hours Closed: December 25th - 26th January 1st - 2nd Email: Info@PresidentialPrayer Team.org Phone: 800-295-1235 Fax: 520-797-7176 Pray for President Bush s Special Presidential Envoy James A. Baker III who is now negotiating with several countries to help manage and reduce Iraq s debt. After a successful meeting in Italy last week, Baker will meet with leaders of Japan, South Korea and China. As the New Year begins, pray that Americans will continue with steadfast prayers for the President, the nation and our military. Pray especially for the members of The Presidential Prayer Team to renew their commitment to uphold the President daily, bringing him before God with earnest and heartfelt prayers. Pray also for the effort of The Presidential Prayer Team for Kids that it will experience unprecedented growth in the New Year. INSPIRATIONAL REFERENCE FOR THE WEEK "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the King also rejoiced greatly. David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, 'Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.'" --The Bible, 1 Chronicles 29:9-11 (NIV) was the only one who signed all four of the great state papers: the Association of 1774, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. When the Continental Congress struggled to know how to give fair representation to the smaller states as well as the large ones, it was Sherman who broke the impasse with the suggestion that the Congress be composed of two bodies--one, the Senate, giving equal representation to every state, and another, the House of Representatives, giving more representatives to larger states, depending on population. His proposal, which some credit with saving the Constitutional Convention from collapse, was called the Connecticut Compromise. Sherman helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, and was referred to by Patrick Henry as one of the three greatest men at the Constitutional Convention. More importantly, Roger Sherman was a theologian. When asked by his pastor in 1788 to use his knowledge to revise the belief statement of his local church, he penned a lengthy statement that clearly defines his steadfast belief in the God of the Bible. Here is a portion of his creed: I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him. Click here for more info PRAYER AND FAITH IN THE NEWS Prayer Connection between Father and Son A young man in North Carolina has found a special way to express support and love for his father. Stacey Shields, 16, participated in a Saturday-night prayer vigil in Asheville. Though he had already sent carefully chosen Christmas gifts to his dad, Stacey spent time in prayer to show the truest form of love for his father. The young man was joined by 50 others, all praying in support and for the safety of the Clyde (NC)-based 211th Military Police CHRISTMAS WISH FROM PRESIDENT AND MRS. BUSH--THEY ENCOURAGE AMERICANS TO PRAY FOR AND SUPPORT OUR MILITARY

3 of 6 10/10/2009 10:32 AM NOT A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY: The Presidential Prayer Team is a spiritual movement of the American people which is not affiliated with any political party or official. It gains no direction or support, official or unofficial, from the current administration, from any agency of the government or from any political party, so that it may be free and unencumbered to equally serve the prayer needs of all current and future leaders of our great nation. WANT TO KNOW GOD? Company of the North Carolina National Guard, which is serving in Iraq. They remain on duty throughout the Christmas season. [We came] just to pray for him and everyone else over there," Shields said. "And hope he comes home so we can celebrate," Sprouse added. The Rev. Marcus Seabolt, dressed in his Army Reserve uniform, gave a message of thankfulness for soldiers, some of whom could have watched the prayer service over the Internet. "We've got you in our prayers," Seabolt told the troops. "We're thankful that you're willing to do your duty for God and country." Seabolt prayed for other troops as well. Participants prayed by candlelight and watched a slideshow with pictures that showed members of the military both a home and overseas. Thousands of military members and their families are coming to terms with the fact that many troops will be sent back for a second tour of duty in Iraq. The Pentagon says this is the largest group of troop rotations since World War II. In recent months, the Pentagon has ordered 85,000 Army and Marine combat forces to Iraq to replace those ending one-year tours. An additional 43,000 National Guardsmen and Reservists may also be sent. Many of them have already been to Iraq or Afghanistan, or both. Portrait of Gerald Ford courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution. E-mail this story to a friend. WORDS FROM THE HONORARY COMMITTEE From the beginning, America has declared her dependence on God and placed our trust in Him. This is one of our country's strengths. --Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States OUR MEMBERS SPEAK UP! Last week we asked you to share how God has answered your prayers in 2003. Your responses have been overwhelming Photo courtesy of the White House. As she spoke with the press during a tour of the White House Christmas decorations, Mrs. Bush called on all Americans to remember the families and loved ones of our military. I ask all Americans to reach out to the military families that you know all those who have someone deployed overseas and give them special care and special love. And in his final press conference of the year, President Bush called for prayers for our military. As we end 2003, we have a lot to be thankful for especially for the fine men and women who wear our country's uniform, and who will spend their holidays far from home. I hope all Americans will keep these brave men and women in their thoughts and prayers during this blessed season. PRAYER QUOTE FOR THE WEEK Mind how you pray. Make real business of it. Let it never be a dead formality. Plead the promise in a truthful, business-like way. Ask for what you want, because the Lord has promised it. Believe that you have the blessing, and go forth to your work in full Image courtesy of dailydevotional.com. assurance of it. Go from your knees singing, because the promise is fulfilled: thus will your prayer be answered. The strength [not length] of your prayer...wins...god; and the strength of prayer lies in your faith in the promise which you pleaded before the Lord. --C.H. Spurgeon, 19th century preacher and author OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL GREETING FOR CHRISTMAS 2003

4 of 6 10/10/2009 10:32 AM and encouraging, for they testify to the fact that PPT members are praying, faithful people! And our mighty God does indeed hear and answer your prayers! The following are just a few of the hundreds of responses we received. Though many of your responses centered on the President and our military, we've included several that simply attest to God's grace and goodness in answering prayer. We thank God for the ongoing protection of our son in Iraq. In our prayers, we asked God to give him physical, emotional, and spiritual strength along with guidance and wisdom to conduct his job as a soldier and a Christian. --Sandra and Guy [My answered prayer is thanks for] wisdom and encouragement for our President and his wife. Our own faith has grown, watching the Lord accomplish this through the awesome ministry of The Presidential Prayer Team. Thank you! --Diana I thank God for many answered prayers this year, but one that I'm extra thankful for is my prayer that our President has remained steadfast in his faith and continues to search out God's wisdom and direction for him to lead our great nation, and he trusts and believes God will provide for him the answers he is seeking. --Harold My first born is in Iraq with her National Guard unit. Before she went over we had a chance to pray and talk about war. I was able to tell her God was going to not only be with her, but use her in a mighty way. --Laurie Each time I pray for President Bush, I ask God to give him wisdom, health, courage, and the desire to seek God's leadership in his life. I feel God is daily answering this prayer. --Johna I have three sons in the military. One with the 82nd Airborne was in Afghanistan for eight months. His twin is a Marine and was in Iraq for three months and the oldest son is stationed in Ft. Hood, TX. They were all President Bush met with soldiers wounded in Iraq during a recent Christmas visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Photo courtesy of the White House. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. --Luke 2:14 "As families and friends gather to celebrate Christmas, we remember all the blessings that fill our lives, beginning with the great blessing that came on a holy night in Bethlehem. For Christians around the world, the birth of Jesus is a central religious event; an example of God's profound love for humanity; and the pathway to hope and to new life. Today, the Christmas story still speaks to every generation. This holiday season, as we share in the spirit of giving and enjoy familiar Christmas traditions, we give thanks for the wonder of God's love and rededicate ourselves to helping those in need. We also pray for our brave men and women in uniform, many of whom will spend the holidays far from home. Their courage and dedication is helping keep us safe and extending freedom and peace. We are grateful for their service to our country, and for the support and sacrifice of their families. Laura joins me in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the peace and goodwill of the season fill every heart and warm every home." --George W. Bush DOUBLE YOUR GIVING POWER! A group of special friends has graciously offered to help The Presidential Prayer Team finish the year strong by agreeing to match your gifts this month! Your generous gift today will ensure that this important effort continues to stimulate prayer for our

5 of 6 10/10/2009 10:32 AM home at Thanksgiving and that was a blessing. I am so thankful to God. --Katharine The one prayer that has been answered, thanks be to God, is keeping our President safe and healthy as he leads this great nation in the right direction. America is truly blessed to have a president with true convictions and morals. --Patricia If I could thank God for just one answered prayer this year; it would be that my relatives are safely home. Two of them were actually sent to Iraq. They were in the heat of the battle and I was afraid that the next soldier to be killed could be one of them. Everyone prayed hard every day. I thank God they are all home and none of them were injured. --Terry It is hard to thank God for just one thing because there have been many answered prayers this year. I am still so thankful to Him for giving us a president who believes in and depends on prayer. --Joan I have been praying that Saddam Hussein would be taken alive without bloodshed, since the beginning of the conflict in Iraq. My prayers have been answered so I am thanking God. --Paul Thank you God for giving my husband a wonderful new job this year! --Leonora President and our nation. Click here to give. DIRECTOR'S CORNER Your giving makes a difference! If you are one of the thousands of PPT members who have helped the team with a financial gift this year, I want to thank you for the tremendous help you have given. While we could wish there were no expenses involved in this massive prayer effort, the truth is that the simple process of gathering prayer concerns and communicating them is costly. The costs are worth the expense, for your prayers have strengthened America in ways that are both seen and unseen. Let me encourage you to renew your commitment to pray for the President and to pray about how you will give to this important effort in the New Year. Your prayers are impacting America for generations to come! A blessed New Year to all our Presidential Prayer Team members and friends. --John Lind, President and CEO of The Presidential Prayer Team PRESIDENTIAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK If I could only thank God for one prayer, it is that my son in the Army returned home from Afghanistan to his family. I am so thankful that I can put him in God's hands and have faith that He will watch and protect my only son. --Sandy I would thank God for is the salvation of one of the dear servicemen stationed with my husband here in England. We invited him and his wife to church, and prayed for his salvation. God answered that prayer, and there is nothing more precious than a soul in the sight of the Lord. --Cheryl Portrait of John Adams courtesy of the Library of Congress. We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break

6 of 6 10/10/2009 10:32 AM I prayed to God to let me see my kids for Christmas, and he made it possible. Thank you God! --Sandy God saved my marriage. --Denise the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. --John Adams I received a Christmas card from my brother who I haven't heard from in some time. I've been deeply impressed to pray for my sister and brother recently and I had asked God to do what I couldn't do and bring healing and reconciliation. This communication from my brother was a start. It humbled me greatly. I couldn't believe when I opened my mailbox and saw who the card was from. What a Christmas present that only God could give. --Marie Click here to read more. Copyright 2003, The Presidential Prayer Team, Inc. All rights reserved. The Presidential Prayer Team name and seal are trademarks of The Presidential Prayer Team, Inc.