All the Bible verses in this edition of The Presidential Prayer Team
for Kids Update are from The New Living Translation of the Bible.
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  • Things are jumping at the Capitol as the 109th Congress convenes!
  • Americans show compassion and love to tsunami victims—how about you?
  • Presidents Adams and Bush's words of welcome to Washington.

Things to pray for
President Bush called on his father, President George H.W. Bush, and on President Bill Clinton to help raise money for relief efforts in the Indian Ocean. The amount given through all charities has already passed $3 billion! Photo courtesy of the White House.

  1. By now you've heard a whole lot about the terrible earthquake and tsunami that happened the day after Christmas. There has never been a tragedy so powerful—at least in our life time! So it's really important that we pray for the whole situation. We can pray for everyone affected by the tragedy, asking God to heal those who have been hurt or injured and to give hope and encouragement to those who have lost loved ones. We can also pray that those who have seen their villages or homes destroyed will have the strength to continue and to rebuild when possible.
  2. Pray that those who are trying to help bring needed care and supplies will be able to do the very best job possible—that God's mighty love will be clearly shown through Christian efforts, and that all the aid will get to the people who need it the most.
In this photo American troops are working with relief workers to get an injured man to the hospital in Indonesia. Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense.
  1. Did you know that over 14,000 American military troops have been dispatched to help in the Bay of Bengal? They are bringing medical help as well as providing much needed supplies like water, food and shelter. So pray for them to be strengthened and encouraged and kept safe as they help. Pray that God's love and provision will be seen through their actions. And be sure to pray for the troops who continue to serve in Iraq. They still need our prayers as much as ever!
  2. Pray for the members of the 109th Congress as they begin their new session. Pray that they will have God's best wisdom and His help in every word, thought and deed. For a great prayer to pray for the Congress, see Father Daniel Coughlin's prayer below.

Leaders to pray for

There is a lot going on this week! Not only are Americans rushing to provide relief for victims in Asia, the 109th Congress just began their new session! Here are some of the key leaders in Congress who need your prayers:

Senate Majority Leader—
William Frist, Tennessee
As Senate Majority Leader, Dr. Frist is represents his party and their views on the many issues the Senate deals with. He also schedules the things that happen each day in the legislature and has a great deal of influence in all the matters in the Senate.

Senator Frist was so concerned about the situation in Asia that he decided to go there and see for himself what has happened. He is there right now! Along with some other members of Congress, he will visit hospitals, food distribution centers and areas that have been destroyed. He asks for your prayers for his team and for the victims.

Speaker of the House—
Dennis Hastert, Illinois
In his important role as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Hastert has much influence and power. He manages everything that happens on the House floor, including deciding who may speak and when! He also leads his party's members as they decide what issues they will address in the House.

Majority Leader—
Tom DeLay, Texas
Congressman DeLay's responsibilities are similar to those of Senator Frist. He develops the issues and policies that his party seeks to deal with in the House of Representatives. He also sets the legislative schedule and chooses which bills will be considered and when they will be discussed. He helps make sure all the committees of the House are working on the highest priorities of the nation.

Bible Verses of the week

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas.
—Psalm 65:5

And we can be confident that He will listen to us whenever we ask Him for anything in line with His will.
—I John 5:14

In this photo President Bush is seen talking with Secretary of State Colin Powell during his visit to the disaster areas in the Indian Ocean. President and Mrs. Bush assured the victims of our prayers. Photo courtesy of the White House.

As we begin the New Year, our prayers go out to the people who have lost so much to the recent series of disasters in the Indian Ocean region. The past few days have brought loss and grief to the world that is beyond our comprehension. America will continue to stand with the affected governments to bring aid to those in need. Together the world will cope with the loss and prevail over this destruction.
--George W. Bush

This photo shows the U.S. Capitol building as it looks today, after many, many additions and changes over the past 200 years. Its cornerstone was laid in 1793 and the members of the Senate and House first met there in November of 1800. The Capitol building has been expanded to more than twice its original size over the years. The Rotunda is 180 feet high and is the symbolic center of both Capitol Hill and Washington, D.C.

Earlier this week, the 109th Congress began with lots of festivities, receptions, picture taking and handshaking. It's always an exciting time in Washington when the new Congress convenes. Many members of Congress bring their families for the festivities, and the newly elected members are invited to the White House to meet and eat with President and Mrs. Bush! Here are some of the words President Bush used to welcome the new members of Congress. Be sure to notice the words President Bush uses about the sacrifice of serving your country:

I want to welcome you all here; Laura and I are so thrilled you're here. It's the ultimate sacrifice, really: sacrifice your privacy; it's a sacrifice of time with your kids. But you're going to find it's worthwhile -- serving this great country is an unbelievable honor, and both the elected official and the spouse are serving our great country.
--George W. Bush

This photo shows Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert conducting the swearing-in ceremony for Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas earlier this week. His eldest son, Will, is with him.

Every person who serves our nation through elected office makes a big sacrifice! That's one of the reasons they need our prayers. As you can see from this photo of Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert swearing in Kevin Brady from southeast Texas, Rep. Brady brought his youngest son, Will, with him to enjoy the fun. But as soon as the festivities were over, Rep. Brady felt it was time to get down to business.

Congress did not actually meet in Washington until November 1800 when construction was far enough along on the Capitol building to allow them to gather. (Construction on the building would continue for many decades at the needs of Congress changed, and as the country was faced with many challenges including the burning of the Capitol building during the War of 1812.)

 

This sketch shows what the Capitol building may have looked like after it was burned in the War of 1812. It's certainly got a long way to go before it will look like the building we all recognize today. The dome was still under construction when President Abraham Lincoln was sworn into office! Image courtesy of the National Park Service.

President John Adams addressed the members of Congress when they gathered in November of 1800, congratulating both the American people and the elected representatives. Besides congratulations, President Adams offered a prayer of thanks to God for the new assembly. Here are some of his words:

It would be unbecoming the representatives of this nation to assemble for the first time in this solemn temple without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and imploring His blessing.

May this territory be the resident of virtue and happiness! In this city may that piety and virtue, that wisdom and magnanimity, that constancy and self-government, which adorned the great character whose name it bears, be forever held in veneration! Here and throughout our country may simple manners, pure morals, and true religion flourish forever!
--John Adams

This photo shows how the Capitol looked as it was being prepared for Abraham Lincoln's Inaugural in 1863. Still unfinished! While the cornerstone of the Capitol was laid in 1793 and the building was first used in 1800, it went through many changes, additions, revisions and expansions. It was enlarged between 1807 and 1863, when the dome pictured here was completed and the building took on its present appearance. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.

New beginnings are great, aren't they? Whether it's a brand new day, a new term in school or a new book to read, newness is one of the ways God shows us Himself! By giving us a fresh start every single day, He reminds us that He is all about newness and beginning again. He loves us so much He is always willing to give us a fresh start!

The Congress gets a new start every two years as the members of the House of Representatives are elected. Though many senators continue their terms, there are always new senators elected as well.

Have you ever noticed that beginnings are a great time to turn to God in prayer? It just makes sense to ask for God's help and leading before you start something new, rather than beginning, running into trouble and then consulting with Him. That's probably why President John Adams consecrated that first meeting of Congress with prayer—because he knew how very much the new representatives would need God's guidance and help.

It may not have been the president leading Congress in prayer as they had their new beginning this week, but there was definitely heartfelt prayer offered to start off the new Congress. In fact, each house of Congress has its own chaplain who is responsible for the spiritual leadership and care of the members, staff and family of their body. That's a lot of people! And part of the leadership a chaplain must give is to set an appropriate tone with prayer.

Rev. Daniel Coughlin (say: Cog-lin) is the Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives. In this job he has a lot of responsibilities! In the words below Father Coughlin explains some of his most important responsibilities:

With 435 members in the House and their staffs, plus all the other wonderful people who serve here... including teenage pages, [it] creates the pastoral duties that are many and varied.

The formal prayer before each legislative session of Congress…casts a light on the day which awakens faith and calls forth a nation to stand with its leaders and say in unison: "In God we Trust."

But daily prayer for the members of the House cannot end there. I ask people across this great county to join me in praying for the Members of the House of Representatives. Know the member of your Congressional district by name and raise his/her name before God each day with us here in the nation's capital.
--Rev. Daniel Coughlin

Isn't it great the House has someone who is watching out for the spiritual well-being of its members? And making sure that each one of those 435 people is prayed for?

Rev. Coughlin usually begins each day's session in the House with prayer. But this week it was his privilege to begin the whole 109th session with prayer. Here is his prayer. Read it and see what you think.

Opening Prayer, January 4, 2005
Rev. Daniel P. Coughlin

Almighty and Eternal God,

Before You nations rise and fall. We ask You to bless the United States of America with security, prosperity, generosity and peace.

Those who have been rightfully elected by the people of the Congressional districts across the nation now stand before You, as the grateful inheritors with a great tradition of government by free people.

May they serve faithfully the people who have chosen them as their Representatives in the 109th Congress.

With personal integrity, enable them to exercise day to day decisions that will uphold this nation's Constitution and bring enlightened hope to a troubled world desirous to know a free democracy in action.

Let all Americans join in their own manner of blessing these men and women, that they may "establish Justice, insure lasting Tranquility, provide for the Common Defense, promote the General Welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty."

For in doing so they will serve You, Our God, and our beloved nation!

Amen.


 

QUESTION 1

Why do you think President Bush told the new members of Congress that sacrificing and serving the country through elected office is an honor?

  1. President Bush feels it is an honor to be elected to office because people pay a lot of attention to you and you become famous.
  2. President Bush says it's good to sacrifice time with family because they don't really need him around that much anyway.
  3. President Bush says that it is a great honor to serve your country because it provides the opportunity to help people and make a difference in many ways.

QUESTION 2

Take another look at the words spoken by President John Adams the very first time Congress gathered in Washington, D.C.

It would be unbecoming the representatives of this nation to assemble for the first time in this solemn temple without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and imploring His blessing.

What do you think President Adams is most trying to impress upon the lawmakers who assembled that day?

  1. They should do their very best to look attractive when they gather—after all, this is the nation's new Capital!
  2. When the elected representatives gather, they should be very sad and solemn because they are no longer gathering in Philadelphia or New York.
  3. Because these very men were some of the original lawmakers of our nation, they all knew how directly they experienced God's guidance and help in the forming of America. For that reason, if no other, they must stop and thank Him for His help and guidance and ask for His blessing.

QUESTION 3

Read the second part of John Adams' words on the first ever day of Congress in Washington.

May this territory be the resident of virtue and happiness! In this city may that piety and virtue, that wisdom and magnanimity, that constancy and self-government, which adorned the great character whose name it bears, be forever held in veneration! Here and throughout our country may simple manners, pure morals, and true religion flourish forever!

President John Adams uses a lot of exclamation marks and hopeful language in these words. How would you sum up his hopes for the new Capitol?

  1. President Adams hopes that only those people who are residents of Washington, D.C. will find joy and happiness in the new capital.
  2. President Adams hopes that Washington will always be the most popular place for wise and smart people to live and work.
  3. President Adams wants the whole area of Washington to be honoring to God in the way that virtue, generosity and kindness are practiced.

QUESTION 4

True or False In the quote given above, President Adams refers to his predecessor, President George Washington.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 5

True or False Father Daniel Coughlin doesn't really think that daily prayer for the members of the House of Representatives is that important as long as people pray for them occasionally.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 6

True or False In his prayer consecrating the 109th Congress, House Chaplain Daniel Coughlin asks God to help the representatives to have integrity and wisdom so they can help others live in the freedom planned for by our Founding Fathers.

  1. True
  2. False

This woman is a relief working bringing help to the victims of the recent disaster in the Aceh region of Indonesia. She is seen here working with an American pilot to help get much needed medical attention for this man. Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense.

This is a really big week, with the new Congress starting and the many efforts of relief agencies in the news. You've probably noticed the way that so many people are working so hard to help with the disaster. Some are giving money, others are collecting supplies, still others are volunteering to go to the region to help. Isn't it great to see how God causes people to respond with help, support and supplies? It's one of the ways we show that we are created in His image, when we reach out to complete strangers with help and hope and love.

Maybe you've wondered what you can do. Be sure to talk to your parents or another adult you trust and respect. Decide what you will do, and then follow through and do it. And remember to keep on praying for all the relief efforts as well as the members of Congress! God loves it when you pray!

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