• Martin Luther King, Jr. tells about the power of love.
• President Bush’s great words about Dr. King.
• Meet Stephen Johnson, the man who protects the environment!  Guess where he went to college!     

President Bush told the country about his plans for success in Iraq.  This is a very good time to pray that this plan will succeed, because many Americans are discouraged about our efforts in Iraq. Photo courtesy of the White House.

1. President Bush has announced his new plan for success in Iraq.  This plan, which he has worked on for quite some time, is controversial.  Some Americans support it and some do not.  So for kids who pray, it’s a very good time to pray that God’s will is done in this matter.  Pray that the President’s strategy succeeds and that Iraq can emerge as a successful democracy.  Pray that all the resources needed will come together for the President’s new plan, and pray that the city of Baghdad will be secured.  Pray the nation of Iraq can become a functioning democracy that can enforce its own laws and fight terrorists instead of harboring them.
   
   
2. Do you know about the State of the Union Address?  It’s a very special speech that the President delivers to the nation every January, telling how he believes things are going in the country and giving his plans for the future.  This year, President Bush will deliver his State of the Union Address on January 23, so pray for the President and members of his advisory team as they prepare for this speech, asking God to guide and help them in the concerns that he presents.

Mrs. Laura Bush had a great time playing a drum while visiting the newly rebuilt Louisiana Children’s Museum in New Orleans earlier this week.  Pray for Mrs. Bush as she supports her husband and works for many important causes in our country.  Photo courtesy of the White House.

3. First Lady Laura Bush continues to be a fantastic support to the President as well as supporting a number of really great causes that are dear to her. Pray for First Lady Laura Bush as she supports and encourages President Bush, asking God to give her plenty of encouragement and energy to tend to her many responsibilities.  Give thanks to God for her faithfulness and dedication.
   

4. As America gets ready to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, pray that the biblical truth that all persons are created equal in God’s eyes will continue to be spread to all Americans. Pray that the love and justice that Dr. King taught others will be spread across our nation.
   
   
5. President Bush’s new plan will impact many families because it calls for more troops to go to Iraq, so we must pray for the families who are most affected by the new effort in Iraq.  Pray for God’s protection over each of them and pray for those troops who will be deployed to have God’s powerful protection too.  Give thanks for all the wonderful, selfless men and women who are sacrificing for the cause of freedom.

Photo courtesy of the FBI.

Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation--Robert Mueller
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has a rich history of protecting Americans and fighting crime—all the way back to 1908!  Created by Attorney General Charles Bonaparte and President Theodore Roosevelt, earliest investigations concerned corruption and crime of all kinds.  Since the first 34 investigators were hired, the agency has become one of the largest in the world with a force of 28,000 employees. 

The first priority of the FBI is to defend Americans from terror attacks and foreign intelligence threats as well as fighting corruption, organized crime, white-collar crime and all major acts of violent crime.  That’s a lot of things to take care of, but they also investigate crimes as well!  The FBI has jurisdiction over 200 categories of federal law!  In fact, the FBI is home to the largest database of fingerprints in our country, used extensively in criminal investigation and identification.  They receive more than 37,000 sets of fingerprints every day, seven days a week. 

Robert Mueller is a former Marine and Vietnam veteran.  After military service, Director Mueller earned his law degree and began practicing law, but was soon tapped to be Attorney General first in San Francisco, and later in Boston.  He was appointed Assistant Attorney General under President George H.W. Bush and had a rich history of public service mingled with the private practice of law.  He was appointed Director of the FBI on September 4, 2001, just days before the 9/11 terror attacks.  In the ensuing years, he has overseen the perhaps the largest reorganization ever of the Bureau.

EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson is seen here with President Bush following a joyful moment during his swearing in ceremony.  Mr. Johnson attended a Christian liberals arts college—Taylor University in Upland, IN.  Have you thought of going to a Christian college?  It’s a great foundation for service to our country, whatever field you are considering!  Photo courtesy of the White House.

EPA Administrator—Stephen L. Johnson
Stephen L. Johnson is the leader of our country’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  As the first professional scientist to lead this department, Stephen Johnson will work to set very clear standards for the quality of our environment—that includes our air, water and land.   He will use his experience and knowledge as a scientist to make decisions and set policies, and will work to improve our planet while trying not to limit business and industry too much, because that could create difficulties for our economy.  He and his team are also responsible to see that our natural resources are used wisely. He will listen to those living closest to the land, because they know our environmental needs best.

He has worked with Congress on President Bush’s Clear Skies Initiative to reduce power plant pollution by 70 percent, without disrupting the economy or raising electricity prices.  He also works closely with the Department of Homeland Security to keep our food supply safe. 

Steve Johnson brings 24 years of experience at the EPA, where he has worked since almost the start of that department.   In his position as Administrator of the EPA, he relies on the support and encouragement of his wife, Debbie and their children and grandchildren.  Mr. Johnson was born on March 21, 1951 in Washington, DC. He received a B.A. in Biology from Taylor University in Indiana and an M.S. in Pathology from George Washington University, Washington, DC.

But I keep right on praying to you, Lord, hoping this is the time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
--Psalm 69:13

[God says,] I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry.
--Amos 5:24

For some time now we’ve been telling you about our Founding Fathers—how they absolutely knew that God’s hand was on America. They could see that the wonderful experiment of Independence was a gift from God. This quotation from President Bush echoes the same ideas—that God has been very good to America. And in response, we must be the very best citizens we can be, honoring God and His plan.

Our nation was founded by people of great accomplishment, great courage, and great humility. They believed not only in themselves, but also in the goodness of God's wisdom and God's plan for every life. This American quality has endured throughout the generations. Americans are, at our best, are a reverent and a grateful people. Even in times of hardship, we see all around us gifts to be thankful for: our families and friends, the beautiful land we call home, and the freedom granted to us all.

This year, as in other times in our history, we can be especially grateful for the courage and faithfulness of those who defend us. Every man and woman who wears our country's uniform is a volunteer, facing hardships and sometimes peril, because they believe in this country and our cause. Our nation's sense of gratitude is the source of the great generosity and compassion of our people.
--George W. Bush

This photo shows General John Wickham, former Army Chief of Staff, in his Four-Star General uniform. General Wickham is a member of the Honorary Committee of the PPT.

General John Wickham is a man who really believes in prayer. When he served our nation as the Army Chief of Staff, he worked very hard to improve conditions for moms and dads and their families. He is also a praying man. His words included here sum up what The Presidential Prayer Team is all about!

Prayer changes lives and history. Praying for America's officials will empower them to provide inspired, courageous, moral leadership during the domestic and international crises facing all Americans.
--General John A. Wickham

Photo of President Bush courtesy of the White House.

We see Martin Luther King in many ways. Perhaps, above all, we should see him as a minister of the Gospel. He said, ‘I decided early to give my life to something eternal and absolute--not for these little gods that are here today and gone tomorrow--but to God, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.’ That faith gave Dr. King the grace to forgive, and the strength to love. He refused to answer hatred with hatred, or meet violence with violence. He appealed not to resentment, but to reason; not to anger, but to conscience.
--George W. Bush