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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  • How should faith influence government?
  • References to God in the Constitution? Read them here!
  • The godly faith of John Witherspoon.

Things to pray for
First Lady Laura Bush is seen here giving a star-spangled kaleidoscope to some Afghan kids in the city of Kabul. Do you think kids in Afghanistan play with kaleidoscopes? Photo courtesy of the White House.

  1. Did you know that First Lady Laura Bush went to Afghanistan this week, just to check on their progress as a developing democracy? Mrs. Bush especially wanted to see how things are going for the women of Afghanistan because they have been oppressed for a long time and are now stepping up to take leadership as teachers, students, doctors, judges, business and community leaders, and politicians. Mrs. Bush and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings went together to be an encouragement to them as well, so we can pray that the women of Afghanistan will continue to make progress as they learn and grow into many important responsibilities. Pray that all the help given by our country—including troops and funds and advisors—will work together to help freedom advance in that part of the world. And pray for the people who now step into leadership positions to serve the common good above their own interests.
  2. Do you remember how there was a lot of commotion about America's intelligence gathering during the time leading up to our attack on Iraq? President Bush has asked for a big report on the problem, and he just received it this week. So this is a great time to pray that he will know exactly how to respond to the information provided in the presidential commission on intelligence report and that he and the other members of his team will be able to keep on working to improve the way America's intelligence agencies gather information. Pray for John Negroponte, our new Intelligence Chief as he leads his team into the future.
  3. We have prayed often for the people of Iraq and the new government that is forming there. After the successful elections in January, the newly elected leaders have met twice, and they've had some problems coming to agreement on what their new government will look like. So this is a great time to pray for the new leaders of Iraq to come to agreement on how their government will work in the future, reflecting their unique culture and desire for freedom for all Iraqis. Pray that the disagreements will just stop.
  4. There are lots of ideas in our country about the best way to handle the problems at America's borders with Canada and especially Mexico. So we can pray that God will lead President Bush and leaders of Congress and Homeland Security as they develop the very best ways to keep America secure and free from terrorists while allowing honest people to freely enter and exit our country. Pray that the situation will be resolved well and that those who might be tempted to take the law into their own hands will not do so.
  5. As many troops return home and others are deployed pray and ask God to protect them all in every way—spiritually, physically and emotionally. Since it can be pretty hard to make the change from one country to another and from one culture to another, pray for the troops as they make adjustments to coming home, that they get used to being back with families and loved ones away from the stress of battle.

In this photo Mrs. Bush is visiting with some Afghan women in the Women's Dormitory in Kabul, Afghanistan. The dormitory was built as a safe place for Afghan women to live while they are advancing their education. Photo courtesy of the White House.

Egg Roll
The Easter Bunny and friend greet and hug kids at the soggy White House Easter Egg Roll last Monday.
Photo courtesy of the White House.

Last week we told you about the Easter Egg Roll at the White House. It's a really big deal and it follows in the long tradition of inviting children to enjoy "the people's house" as President and Mrs. Bush call it. Well, everyone worked very hard and there were a lot of great plans in place, but last Monday's Easter Egg Roll ended early because of the rainy, cold weather.

These kids are a little wet after braving the elements at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Even though the festivities had to be stopped early because of bad weather, everyone had a great time, and lots of really neat characters came out to celebrate.
Photo courtesy of the White House.

The kids and parents who went had a great time, and they were given some pretty neat gifts too.

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Leaders to pray for

Secretary of Agriculture—
Mike Johanns
Photo courtesy of the White House.

Mike Johanns brings a lot of valuable experience with him to his new job of Secretary of Agriculture. As the former Governor of Nebraska, he has farms and farming very near to his heart, because he grew up on a dairy farm in Iowa. In fact, Secretary Johanns likes to joke that anything seems easy to him after his experiences growing up on the farm!

As Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns is the person responsible for the grain and meat produced by America's farms and ranches. He and his staff of 113,000 must work hard to make sure our food supply is kept safe all the time, whether the threat comes from disease, terrorism or something else. The Department of Agriculture also works to find energy sources that are "renewable," like grain that can be grown. Ethanol (fuel made, in part, from grain) is an example of this. The USDA is also America's largest conservation agency, working to encourage voluntary efforts to protect soil, water, and wildlife on the 70 percent of America's lands that belong to private owners rather than the government. His department also oversees the export of agricultural products to markets overseas. That sounds like a lot, doesn't it?

Secretary Johanns steps in after the faithful service of Secretary Ann Veneman over the past four years. Trained as an attorney, he received his undergrad degree from of St. Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona. He earned a law degree from Creighton University in Omaha and practiced law in Nebraska before being elected mayor of Lincoln.

Secretary Johanns is married to Stephanie Johanns, a former Nebraska State Senator. The couple has two children, Justin and Michaela and two grandchildren.

Prayer Points for Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns:

  • Choosing his staff and making his plans for the coming years.
  • Always keeping watch to be sure our food supply is safe.
  • Strengthening our relationships with agricultural leaders in other countries around the world.


Secretary of Transportation—
Norman Mineta
Photo courtesy of the Department of Transportation.

Norman Mineta has a terrific record of service to our country, and he has several "firsts" to his credit. He became the first Asian-American cabinet member during President Clinton's administration and the first cabinet member to make the switch from a Democratic cabinet directly to a Republican one. He was appointed by President Bush at the beginning of his first term and has served with great dignity and success since January 2001.

In his job as the Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta oversees all the ways that people get around in our country--the waterways and highways, air travel and train travel, even the trucks that drive on our highways--all these are under his supervision. It is his job to ensure that travel is safe and fair for those who earn their living in transportation as well.

He has worked hard to make transportation safer in our country, and during the first four years of the President's term, Secretary Mineta and his team successfully delivered the lowest vehicle fatality rate ever recorded, the highest safety belt usage rate ever recorded, and the lowest rail fatality level ever recorded. He has also worked with the states to lower the rule on blood alcohol in order to prevent drunk driving accidents. That's a pretty impressive record, and it means that there are lots more Americans living without accidents and injury, which is great!

The Department of Transportation has 100,000 faithful employees and a $58.7 billion budget—that's a lot to keep track of for starters.

Secretary Mineta and his family were among the 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry forced from their homes and into internment camps during World War II—that was a very sad chapter in our country. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Secretary Mineta joined the Army in 1953 and served as an intelligence officer in Japan and Korea. He is married to Danealia (Deni) Mineta. He has two sons, David and Stuart Mineta, and two stepsons, Robert and Mark Brantner.

Prayer Points for Secretary of Transportation Mineta:

  • Work with the Department of Homeland Security to keep our airways, highways and waterways free from terror threats.
  • Improve the railroads and railways of our nation to better serve all Americans.
  • Keep secure and to improve America's roadways so all Americans can drive safely—especially on summer vacations!

Bible Verses of the week

O our God, hear your servant's prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on Your desolate sanctuary. O my God, listen to me and hear my request. Open Your eyes and see our wretchedness. See how Your city lies in ruins--for everyone knows that it is Yours. We do not ask because we deserve help, but because You are so merciful.
—Daniel 9:17-18

Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.
—Ephesians 3:20-21

Has Faith Influenced Government

"George Washington Addressing the Constitutional Convention" by Junius Stearns courtesy of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

There is lots of talk these days about the role of faith in our government. Some people say that faith shouldn't have any role in how our country is run, and others say that faith should completely guide the way we are governed.

What do you think? Which beliefs and values should shape our country? And how was that sort of thing decided upon back when our country was being founded? Is there any way to completely separate the people who serve America from the beliefs they hold?

Pre-America

It is important to remember that the people who first came to our country came seeking religious freedom. They set out for a new land because there was only one choice for people of faith in 1600's England, and it went against the beliefs and views of the Separatists. (That's what they were called then. They soon became known as "Pilgrims.") They tried another country—the Netherlands—and things went well for them for awhile. But after several years there, they felt there were too many bad influences on their children. So they thought a new colony in a new place would be a good idea. Can you imagine the sacrifices they made to leave their homes and everything familiar to them?

The Pilgrims that started out in Scrooby, England came to the little harbor of Plymouth, Massachusetts in the chilly winter of 1620. It's hard to imagine what it was like when they first arrived. There were no buildings, no government, no farms or stores. There was an active and lively community of Wampanoag Indians, and the Pilgrims did get to know them and their ways in time. But they were pretty much on their own when it came to deciding how they would be governed.

In fact, the Pilgrims knew that they didn't even dare to set foot on the new land until they had an agreement that would guide them. So they wrote the Mayflower Compact while they were still anchored out in the harbor deciding what to do. You can read their words below. Be sure to notice in whose name they are agreeing to organize their efforts. Also notice the purpose they give for making laws and ordinances. This brief but historic document was the foundation for the first government in the new colony!

The document was signed by 41 of the 102 passengers. Only 37 of those were Separatists.

Click HERE to see a handwritten copy of the Mayflower Compact.


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Settlements Spread

Over the years following the founding of the colony at Plymouth, many, many more people came to the new land. They brought their faith right along with them, and not everyone believed just the same way that the original Pilgrims and Puritans did. But there was room for all.

As the Colonies grew, each separate colony formed its own form of government, and most of them acknowledged God and His rule in their laws and statutes. These documents were written by godly and wise people who cared very much about the new country. In time, we had 13 colonies, each with its own distinct constitution or other set of laws that ruled how they would be governed. In pretty much every case, the laws were dedicated to God and His ways. The Colonists wouldn't think of doing it any other way!

Hover over each item below to read some words from their founding documents:

Constitution of Maryland:

Provincial Congress of Massachusetts:

Constitution of Pennsylvania:

Virginia Bill of Rights:

Constitution of Vermont:

The Founding Fathers

Because they believed that God's hand was involved in the forming of our government, our Founding Fathers worked hard to make sure that biblical principles would be a part of the laws of the new country. In fact, the Ten Commandments are one of the main foundations of not only our laws, but the laws of many cultures from modern day to ancient.

George Washington, John Adams and John Witherspoon were three leaders who influenced the way that America's government was shaped. They shared the belief that godly faith and biblical principles should be completely woven into the laws of our nation. Read on for some quotes that show how they felt about this.

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S LETTER TO THE GOVERNORS

Portrait of George Washington courtesy of the National Gallery of Art.

In this letter, George Washington is writing to the governors of each of the new states expressing his highest hopes for the way they will run their states. He even mentions a Scripture verse that is important to him. Notice also how Washington says that America must rely on God to be a happy nation!

I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.
--George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, First President of the United States in a letter to the Governors of each of the Colonies at the end of the Revolutionary War, June 8, 1783.

Can you think of the Scripture verse that President George Washington is referring to in the quote above? Hover here to read:

QUESTION 1

Read George Washington's quote above once more. He gives a kind of "recipe" for a happy nation. If you had to write out a "recipe for a happy nation," using the ingredients that George Washington recommends what would you include?

  1. Add insubordination, rebellion and a spirit of everyone doing his own thing.
  2. Take some large states, put in a lot of fields with pretty flowers and dispose of the whole thing.
  3. Stir up some brotherly love and respect for our military along with calm-minded people who love and honor God.

Here are some words that John Adams wrote in his diary while he was still a student at Harvard, before the Revolution had begun. (Remember, there was no country known as the United States of America at this time!) You can hear in these words his dream for a new nation. He was studying very hard, spending much time in the Scriptures and in prayer, and all the while Adams was thinking about what values and ideas should guide a government. Have you ever dreamed about what a new country would be like if you were to help form it?

Portrait of John Adams courtesy of the National Gallery of Art.

Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love and reverence toward Almighty God…What a utopia, what a Paradise would this region be.
--John Adams, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Member of the Continental Congress and Second President of the United States in his personal diary, February 22, 1756

QUESTION 2

It seems that John Adams was quite a daydreamer when he was young. He entered many of his daydreams in his diary. In this entry he imagines a perfect land. Which statement best describes Adams' hopes for a good government?

  1. Everyone would regulate everyone else's business, rather than taking care of their own matters.
  2. Every person in this perfect place would do everything from a sense of obligation, afraid of what would happen if they didn't do the things they felt obliged to do.
  3. Everyone is so familiar with the Bible and wants so much to honor God that discipline, self-control, patience, thriftiness, hard work, justice, kindness and love of God and fellow-man just naturally flow from each person's life, making Utopia!

John Witherspoon was a Presbyterian pastor who was very involved in the founding of our nation. He always wore his clerical clothing, even when he was attending meetings in Congress. Portrait of John Witherspoon courtesy of the Library of Congress.

John Witherspoon was very involved in the shaping of America's government, through the Continental Congress in particular. He is often called "the man who shaped the men who shaped America." Because he was a minister, he was able to influence many of the key leaders both from his pulpit and later in his role as the President of Princeton University. Of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, one-sixth (9) of them were Princeton graduates and six were directly influenced by Witherspoon.

The words below are taken from a sermon Witherspoon preached just as the Revolution was getting into full swing. As you read, you can sense how strongly he believes that for America to succeed her citizens would need to fully embrace the Christian faith. They would need to rise up and live good and godly lives.

He is the best friend of American liberty who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion and who sets Himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind...God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.
--John Witherspoon, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Member of the Continental Congress, President of Princeton College and Pastor. Spoken in a sermon delivered May 17, 1776.

QUESTION 3

John Witherspoon was pretty sure about what the role of godly faith in the future of America should be. Which statement best explains his thoughts from the quote above?

  1. People should promote themselves, and thereby gain immortality (lasting fame).
  2. To be a true friend of liberty, Americans should not be loyal to any religion--they should defile all religion.
  3. The best thing a citizen can do is to live a pure and godly life, including keeping a careful watch on his or her words (no bad ones!) and to honor God in everything.

Because of his knowledge of the Scriptures and his godly Christian faith, John Witherspoon was also concerned with the compassionate side of government. He knew that the Bible had much to say about how people are treated, so he worked to make sure that things happened in a way that would please God and honor the Scriptures. He was concerned with issues like "kindlier treatment of prisoners, the checking of cruelty in warfare, the better administration of military hospitals, the improvement of health and morals and therefore of discipline, in the army."

It's pretty clear from the words of these Founding Fathers that they wanted the Bible to influence the way that our government works. They knew that the government wouldn't last if it wasn't founded upon ideas that had eternal and lasting value.

Can you think of a Bible verse that talks about the lasting value of the Scriptures? Hover here to read:

There are many people who don't believe that God's Word should influence our government, but our Founding Fathers did. And now President Bush is trying to help people of faith who want to serve their country by helping people with great needs like disease or addictions or poverty. That's where the "Faith-Based and Community Initiatives" come in. Put into kid's language, it's just a way of helping churches and other religious organizations across our country to provide compassion, mercy and help in many forms, for people who really need it!

Many churches in large cities, especially, have lots of help to offer people in need. Photo courtesy of infomotions.com.

In the past, the government has sometimes made it hard for churches and ministries to help the poor, elderly, imprisoned, sick or addicted. They couldn't get money to make their programs stronger. But now, through this new program, the government will be able to help people who want to minister with compassion and mercy to those in need.

It takes you right back to the verse that George Washington quoted: "O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what He requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
--Micah 6:8.

Here is how President Bush explains it in his own words:

Photo courtesy of the White House.

I guess they've forgotten the history of this great country. People of faith led the struggle against slavery. People of faith fought against child labor. People of faith worked for women's equality and civil rights. Every expansion of justice in American history received inspiration from men and women of moral conviction and religious belief. And in America today, people of faith are waging a determined campaign against need and suffering. When government discriminates against religious groups, it is not the groups that suffer most. The loss comes to the hungry who don't get fed, to the addicts who don't get help, to the children who drift toward self-destruction. For the sake of so many brothers and sisters in need, we must and we will support the armies of compassion in America.
--George W. Bush

Prayer Quote For The Week

President Bush visits with former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez in the downstairs corridor of the White House. Photo courtesy of the White House.

"As I go through life, I still find that returning to prayer and relying on my faith is the way in which I get through those difficult moments when it seems that everything is going wrong. Our time spent in government service is not a time for shelving the faith that has led us through life. I believe that is the time when - all the more - we must be a witness to our faith, so that others might find support and encouragement through it."
--Mel Martinez, Senator from Florida and former member of President Bush's cabinet

Remember to pray for not just the President, but for everyone who works alongside him. And remember that it's okay for your godly faith to affect the way you live your life--whether you are a leader in your classroom or a team captain or a big sister. And if you are involved in student government or scouts or any other organization, remember that you can pray for your organization to be run in a way that pleases God, just like John Witherspoon and John Adams and George Washington did.

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