[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 18 (Monday, May 9, 2005)]
[Pages 730-731]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7896--National Day of Prayer, 2005

 May 3, 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

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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.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:15 a.m., May 4, 2005]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 5.