12 2 STA T .5 2 9 9 PROCL A M AT I O N8 2 4 2 — APR. 21 , 2 0 08 INW I T N ES SW H E R E OF, I have he r e untos et my han d th i s seventeenth day o fAp ri l , intheyearofour L ord t w o thousand ei g ht, and of the Independen c eofthe U nited States of America the two hundred and thirty - second .G EORGE W. B USH Proclam a ti o n824 2o fAp ril 2 1, 2 0 08 Nation a lD a y o fPr ay e r ,20 0 8BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation America trusts in the a b iding power of prayer and as k s for the wisdom to discern God ’ s will in times of j oy and of trial. As we observe this National D ay of P rayer, we recogni z e 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 strength- ened, 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 fami- lies, and for the comfort and recovery of those who have been wound- ed. The C ongress, by Public Law 10 0 –3 07, 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 M ay 1, 2008, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each accord- ing to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have re- ceived and for God’s continued guidance, comfort, and protection. I in- vite all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate pro- grams, 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. GEORGE W. BUSH
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