February 06, 2003

washingtonpost.com: Bush Urges Prayer During 'Testing Time'

President Bush on Thursday urged Americans to pray for God's guidance as the Columbia tragedy, potential war in Iraq and the constant threat of terrorism pose "a testing time for our country."
"One thing is for certain, we didn't ask for these challenges, but we will meet them. I say that with certainty because this nation has strong foundations that won't be shaken,"
Bush said at the National Prayer Breakfast.The event is a 51-year-old tradition that brings hundreds of lawmakers, military leaders, foreign heads of state and spiritual leaders together in prayer. The crowd included 56 senators, 240 House members, first lady Laura Bush, National Security Director Condoleeza Rice, Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and CIA Director George Tenet "It is fitting that, in the midst of tough times, that these two leaders are sharing with scripture and prayer with the country," the president said of Myers and Tenet.
[...]
"This is testing time for our country," Bush said. "At this hour, we have troops that are assembling in the Middle East. There's oppressive regimes that seek terrible weapons. We face an ongoing threat of terror."

[Dr. Condoleeza]Rice, following Bush to the lectern for a lengthier address, mixed humorous anecdotes about her religious upbringing with a sobering message similar to the president's.

"Terror and tragedy have made us more aware of our vulnerabilities and mortality," she said. "We're living through a time of testing and consequence and pray that our wisdom and will are equal to the work before us."
[...]
Leading the crowd in prayer, Rice said, "Let us accept our responsibilities to defend the freedom which we are so privileged to enjoy."

Bush said America will triumph over adversity because of the character of its people, the desire by all people to be free of oppression and the will of God. He said events don't move by "blind change and chance."

"In this hour of our country's history, we stand in the need of prayer," Bush said. "We pray for the families that have known recent loss. We pray for the men and women who serve around the world to defend our freedom. We pray for their families. We pray for wisdom to know and do what is right and we pray for God's peace in the affairs of men."

Amen, my fellow Americans. I join you in prayer.
And believe it or not, Drudge's headline this morning was this single word, "Pray."
I don't know about you, but sometimes I get so caught up in the busy news cycles, the fogs of war and the fears of earthly terrors, that I too often forget to pray and that a Higher Power is behind everything, so this reminder to pray is ever timely.
And what with the Islamists always invoking their Allah, I think we "infidels" shouldn't mind invoking our God often, either.
Even if you're an atheist and don't believe in God or prayer, the act of praying and envisioning right outcomes amounts to nothing more or less than positive, focused higher thought and that can't be bad at all.