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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  • National Bible Week--November 19-26--is coming soon! Get ready with the great info we’ve provided here. 
  • Great Americans talk about their love for the Bible.
  • The elections are over—and it’s still time to pray!

Things to pray for

President and Mrs. Bush voted on Tuesday at their regular polling place in Crawford, TX.  Pray for President Bush as he makes plans with the new leaders who were elected to office this week.  Photo courtesy of the White House.
  1. Elections are over!  Our whole country has been wrapped up in this important event for many months.  Now the people have spoken and new leaders are elected.  So it’s a great time to pray for President Bush as he makes plans to work with newly elected leaders and those who are already in office.  Pray also for every leader who was just elected, that they will consult with God in their plans and will seek to do His will.  Pray for a spirit of cooperation to spread across our country as leaders develop new relationship with one another.  Give thanks, too, for the blessings of living in America—a country where every citizen of voting age has an equal voice.

  2. Veterans Day is November 11, so remember to thank God for our veterans, asking Him to encourage them and to provide for the needs of each one.  Pray that our veterans will know the gratitude of all Americans, and that they will get all the help and services they need. Pray also for those who have been injured in the line of duty, that they will recover successfully and will have great health and strength as they face the future.   

  3. President Bush has a busy week this week!  Pray for him as he participates in Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11.  He will lay a wreath and give a speech in honor of our nation’s veterans, so pray that his presence and words will be an encouragement to veterans and their families who are present.  On November 13 President Bush will welcome to the White House Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel to discuss issues of interest to both our countries, so it is a great time to pray for God’s blessing and guidance in each of these important events.  President Bush is also getting ready to go to Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader’s Meeting on November 18-19.  He will also travel to Singapore and Indonesia so be sure to pray for safety and protection and for a very positive outcome to these meetings.

  4. Our troops continue to work hard to safeguard our freedoms by serving the cause of democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Whether they serve in the Middle East or Asia or elsewhere in the world, we can thank God for our troops and pray for their safety and protection every day.  Pray that they will have the courage to keep doing their jobs well and pray for everyone back home who loves them and misses them—that they will be encouraged and comforted by God and His presence in their lives.

Leaders to pray for


Chaplain of the United States Senate
—Rev. Barry Black

Chaplain Black portrait courtesy of the United States Senate.

Rev. Barry Black serves our nation as Chaplain of the United States Senate.  Appointed in June 2003, Rear Admiral Barry C. Black (Ret.) served in the United States Navy for more than 27 years, ending his distinguished career as the Chief of Navy Chaplains.

Rev. Black opens each Senate session with prayer and makes himself available to the members of the Senate, their families and their staffs—that’s a “congregation” of over 6,000 people.  He works to assist them with their spiritual needs, providing counseling, Bible study and spiritual advice.  On occasion Chaplain Black will be called on to advise senators on moral issues, researching from the Scriptures.  

Rev. Black is the first African-American, the first Seventh-day Adventist, and the first military chaplain to hold the office of chaplain to the United States Senate.  He is the 62nd chaplain of the Senate, the first having been appointed in 1789.  He is married and has three sons.

Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives—Daniel Coughlin

Rev. Daniel Coughlin is a Chicago born and bred priest, ministering in the Catholic Church since he was ordained on May 3, 1960. He served a variety of parishes in the Chicago suburbs and in the city, including the magnificent Holy Name Cathedral. In 1984 Fr. Coughlin took a one-year sabbatical.

For five months he lived with the Trappist monks of Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky and then worked with the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India. After his sabbatical, Fr. Coughlin was a scholar-in-residence at North American College, Vatican City in Rome, Italy. Following those studies, he returned to Chicago and served in a parish, a retreat house and in the Archdiocese offices.

When it was time for Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to find a new chaplain for his fellow congressmen and women, he asked Cardinal George of Chicago for help. Father Coughlin's name came up and he was approved. He was sworn in as the fifty-sixth Chaplain for the 106th Congress on March 23, 2000.

As Chaplain of the House, Father Coughlin has huge responsibilities to the many members of that body. He must exercise great sensitivity to the many diverse religious backgrounds represented in Congress. He also presides at many functions, offering prayer and counsel when needed.

Click HERE to see a photo of the inside of Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago, where Father Coughlin served in the 1960's.

God’s Word can help us find our way in just about any situation!  National Bible Week is a great time to spend more time in God’s Word.  Be sure to talk to your mom or dad about National Bible Week, November 19-26!

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
—Psalm 119:105

Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it. We may receive it gladly, with thankful hearts.  For we know it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.  If you explain this to the brothers and sisters,  you will be doing your duty as a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is fed by the message of faith and the true teaching you have followed.
—I Timothy 4:4-6

When Senate Chaplain Barry Black was asked “How do you stand for Christ in a pluralistic environment?”  He said, “The apostle Paul talks about how you are a living epistle, and the only epistle some people will ever read is the epistle they see in your life.  So as Edgar Guest puts it, ‘I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.’  Being above reproach, hospitable, sober and monogamous…I think that kind of life enables your light to shine.”

Rev. Daniel Coughlin knows that his job as a spiritual advisor is important, but he also encourages the rest of us to pray for all the members of his spiritual community.

“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. Barry Black uses some very good words from the Bible in the quotation above--actually the Apostle Paul’s words about being a letter that is alive.  Hover here to read.

In the above quotation by Rev. Daniel Coughlin he also speaks words that come right from the Bible.  Do you know where?  Hover here to read.

Image courtesy of the United States Secret Service.

There are many places in the Bible that talk about how wonderful it is to trust in God.  But this passage is really great because it talks about trusting in God rather than in the riches we can earn--our money!  When you read this verse, it makes sense that our money has the statement, “In God we trust” right on every piece!  Have you ever been tempted to think too much about money, or to be fooled into thinking that money can make you happy?  Trust in God--all the money belongs to Him anyway!

National Bible Week was first begun during the difficult days of World War II.  It was an effort to encourage and comfort Americans through the worries of having our nation at war.  The organizers knew that if Americans read God’s Word, they would find hope and comfort and strength from God.

Although it was begun in 1941, National Bible Week has been going on faithfully ever since then.  Many groups support its simple goal--to promote daily reading of the Bible with the knowledge that the Word of God so that our nation is powerfully influenced for the good. 

What will you do to celebrate National Bible Week?  There are all kinds of great ways you can observe this important time. 

 

Read Rev. Barry Black’s words again.  “The apostle Paul talks about how you are a living epistle (letter), and the only epistle some people will ever read is the epistle they see in your life.  So as Edgar Guest puts it, ‘I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.’  Being above reproach, hospitable, sober and monogamous…I think that kind of life enables your light to shine.”

QUESTION 1

Which of these statements do you think best explains what Rev. Black is saying?

  1. Rev. Black says that people who want to live boldly for God should always carry letters in their pockets, just in case anyone asks them to explain their faith.  They can just pull out the letter and read it! 

  2. Rev. Black is saying that most people prefer to see their pastor’s message acted out on stage each week rather than having to listen to his sermon.

  3. Rev. Black says that we should live our lives with the realization that people are watching.  If we live wisely for God, our behavior (behavior means our actions, words and habits) will just naturally point others to Him!

QUESTION 2

Rev. Black quotes from Edgar Guest, a much-loved poet of the last century.  He uses Guest’s words, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.”  Which of the following statements below do you think explains this phrase?

  1. People can witness for God by living a good life.

  2. If you talk too much, you may eventually choose the wrong words.  Let your habits and actions show what you believe.

  3. Actions do speak louder than words.

If you listen to some people today, you might get the idea that government leaders don’t pay any attention to the Bible.  But that’s just not the case!  In fact, many key leaders have made great and bold statements about the importance of the Bible—both to them personally and to our great country.  Here are a few:

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

When a group of African-Americans presented him with the gift of a Bible, President Abraham Lincoln stated the following:  “In regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to men.  All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book.  But for it we could not know right from wrong.  All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.”
--Abraham Lincoln

Portrait of John Quincy Adams courtesy of the National Gallery.

“I speak as a man of the world to men of the world; and I say to you, ‘Search the Scriptures!’  The Bible is the book of all others, to be read at all ages, and in all conditions of human life; not to be read in small portions of one or two chapters every day, and never to be intermitted, unless by some overruling necessity.”
--John Quincy Adams

Portrait of Daniel Webster courtesy of The College of New Jersey.

“This is the Book. I have read the Bible through many times, and now make it a practice to read it through once every year.  It is a book of all others for lawyers, as well as divines; and I pity the man who cannot find in it a rich supply of thought and of rules for conduct. It fits man for life--it prepares him for death.”
--Daniel Webster

QUESTION 3

True or False:  President Abraham Lincoln said that mankind really needs the Bible to understand right from wrong.  True or False

QUESTION 4

True or False:  Although President Lincoln feels that the Bible is a great book, he doesn’t believe that following its guidelines will help people very much. True or False

QUESTION 5

In President Lincoln’s statement, he says, “All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it [the Bible].”  From this statement, you could conclude which of the following?

  1. Lincoln has read his Bible and is fairly familiar with it.

  2. Lincoln thinks that the Bible says people should go on welfare.

  3. Lincoln is not only familiar with his Bible, he understands clearly that it promises hope for today and the promise of heaven when we die.

QUESTION 6

When you read the words of President John Quincy Adams, which of the following goes along with his perspective?

  1. The Bible holds the answer to most any question you could ask.

  2. The Bible is the best book you could choose to read.

  3. The great things you will learn from the Bible are for people of every age and of every circumstance.  No matter what problem you are dealing with, the wisdom of Scripture will help you deal with it.

QUESTION 7

Daniel Webster lived from 1782-1852 and was one of the great leaders of our nation.  His words echo those of President John Quincy Adams.  He too, calls it the “book of all others” but he especially recommends it to lawyers and divines (attorneys and ministers!).  Which statement do you think best explains Daniel Webster’s view of the Scriptures?

  1. If lawyers would simply read this book instead of their law books, they would win more cases.

  2. The Bible is only meant for people who are very, very holy.  Regular people don’t need to bother with it.

  3. Every person can be strengthened by reading the Bible.  And if you are ever wondering how to act or what to do in a given situation, you can turn to God’s Word for answers.

Mr. Dean Borgman was the honorary chair of National Bible Week.  It was easy for Mr. Borgman to support this cause because he loves to read his Bible so very much!  Photo courtesy of Sikorsky Aircraft. 

Every year, the folks who organize National Bible Week choose a special person to be the honorary chairperson for that year.  Last year they chose Dean Borgman, the Chairman of Sikorsky Aircraft. 

You may think you don’t know about Sikorsky Aircraft, but you probably do!  Every time you see President Bush come and go from the White House on Marine One, the official presidential helicopter, you are seeing a Sikorsky aircraft!

Mr. Borgman heads up the company which makes helicopters for more than just the President.  In fact, Black Hawk helicopters, made by Sikorsky, are playing a really big role in our efforts in Iraq.  Click HERE for a really cool photo of a Sikorsky Black Hawk over New York Harbor. 

In this photo President Bush is taking questions from members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House.  The presidential helicopter, Marine One, is in the background.  When the President travels, Marine One takes the President from the White House to Andrews Air Force Base where he boards Air Force One, the presidential jet.  Photo courtesy of the White House. 

Mr. Dean Borgman has had a very interesting career in the aircraft industry and has worked in the helicopter divisions of both Boeing Company and McDonnell Douglas Corporation.  He knows a great deal about flight and aircraft, and it seems that the lessons he has learned about navigating the skies have helped him in life too.  He says, “God's Word is the rudder in my life, and I cannot imagine attempting to navigate life's challenges without it.”

You might think that a person like Mr. Borgman who is very busy running a huge company would not have time for daily Bible reading.  But he does.  In fact, he says that he could hardly get through the day without it.  “My daily encounter with God begins with my Bible reading and prayer time. It is my source of strength, direction, and inspiration.” 

Does the Bible ever get boring or old to Mr. Borgman?  Definitely not!  He has a way of getting fresh truth from each day’s reading.  “Part of my Bible reading time always includes the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to that day of the month (convenient that Proverbs contains 31 chapters), and I never cease to marvel at the wisdom that is revealed from that book as a ‘new truth’ each day.” 

Have you ever done that—decided to read one chapter from Proverbs every day?  It’s a great idea, and we say “Thanks!” to Mr. Dean Borgman for reminding us how wonderful God’s Word is when we take time to read it every day!  PPT Kids salute you for your faithful love of God’s Word and for telling others how you love to read the Bible. 

Click HERE to read about a past Honorary Chairman of National Bible Week. (Hint:  This guy made baseballs fly, not helicopters!)

  • Make sure people you care about have a Bible of their own.

  • Set up a time to read the Bible with your best friend.

  • Start a Bible Club at your church or school.  Just get together and read the Bible.

  • Raise money with other kids to buy Bibles for people who don’t have them—people overseas, people on the streets of your city or people in your neighborhood. Everyone needs the Bible!

  • Read one chapter of the Book of Proverbs (just as Mr. Borgman suggested) each day and write down one special thought from what you read.  In a month, you will have a virtual encyclopedia of wisdom!    

Oh, how fortunate we are to have our Bible!  As kids who pray, we should thank God every single day for the awesome truth He’s given us in His Word!  But it’s not enough to just have your Bible—you have to really dig in to your Bible, reading it, praying through it and asking questions about the instructions and guidance it gives you.  That is definitely one of the best thing you can do!  So we really want to encourage you to read your Bible every day, to learn more about God and grow in your friendship with Him.  If God has shown you something special through reading His Word, e-mail us and tell us about it!  Just write to Editor@pptkids.org. 

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