The Presidential Prayer Team

[Q]

The Presidential Prayer Team


PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER
REQUESTS FOR
OCTOBER 23, 2003

As many communities prepare to go to the polls on November 4, pray for godly people to speak up and vote their conscience and values. Pray that all citizens in communities where elections are being held will exercise their responsibility as citizens by voting. Pray also for the states of Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana which are holding gubernatorial elections in November.

Pray for the President as he works with world leaders to defeat terrorism wherever it is found. Pray for our troops around the world, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq, that they will be safe and successful in their mission to defeat terrorism. Pray for the family members and loved ones of those who have lost a military member in the fight for freedom.

Pray that freedom to practice religion in America will be maintained. Court cases on the local and federal level, attacks against members of our military who express their faith in public, and accusations against those who refuse to participate in activities they feel violate their faith highlight the need for us not to take our freedoms for granted.

Pray for the President as he welcomes Romanian President Ion Iliescu to Washington on October 28. Romania and the United States are working together closely to bring stability and peace to Afghanistan and Iraq. The President and President Iliescu will discuss the war on terrorism, reconstruction of Iraq, and Transatlantic relations.

OUR NATION'S GODLY HERITAGE

The earliest founders of our nation were people of great, godly character who longed to leave a legacy of wisdom and strength for the generations to come. Many of the earliest families who came to America's shores sought a place to practice the purest form of their Christian faith. Consider the example of Obadiah Holmes, who came to Massachusetts in 1638. He and his wife found their way to Salem, where he worked as a glass maker, raising nine children.

Holmes longed for godly character to be developed in the lives of each of his offspring. With his wife Catherine, he faithfully taught them to be people of character, following the teachings of the Scriptures. Toward the end of his life, Holmes penned a letter that would continue to speak to his children long after he was gone from their lives. The letter is a lasting legacy to his passion to develop character in his children. Part of the letter follows:

"Be you content with your present condition and portion God has given you. Make a good use of what you have by making use of it for your comfort (solace). For meat, drink or apparel, it is the gift of God. Take care to live honestly, justly, quietly with love and peace among yourselves, your neighbors and, if possible, be at peace with all men. In what you can, do good to all men, especially to such as fear the Lord. Forget not to entertain strangers, according to your ability; if it be done in sincerity, it will be accepted, especially if to a disciple in the name of a disciple. Do to all men as you would have them do to you."

WORDS FROM THE
PRESIDENT ON POWER


Journalist's Question: How does it feel to be the most powerful man in the world?

The President: Humbling.

Journalist: Humbling?

The President:
Yes. And it also means there are tremendous responsibilities with that. Very interesting question; the fundamental question is, what you do with power? And I believe it's very important for the President to work with others to lead for a more peaceful and free world. And part of that use of power now--we must use our power to fight terror.

And, at the same time, we must use our power and wealth to help improve the lives of those who suffer. It's humbling to think about that. It is also an awesome responsibility which I take seriously.
--George W. Bush

INSPIRATIONAL
REFERENCES
FOR THE WEEK

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him."
--The Bible, Lamentations 3:22-25 (NIV)

Hear, O Lord my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer--it does not rise from deceitful lips.
--The Bible, Psalm 17:1 (NIV)

Prayer is not the mystical experience of a few special people, but an aggressive act...an act that may be performed by anyone who will accept the challenge to learn to pray.
--Jack Hayford, Chancellor, Kings College and Seminary

PRAYER QUOTE
FOR THE WEEK

The main lesson about prayer is just this: Do it! Do it! Do it! You want to be taught to pray. My answer is: pray and never faint, and then you shall never fail.
--John Laidlaw, 19th century minister and author

A PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT

Dear Father, in Jesus' name I lift up our President to You. I know that our leader's heart is in Your hand, so I ask You to guide the head of our nation in the way You would have him to go. Father, I pray that You would surround our President with wise counsel--men and women of integrity who place Your agenda and the good of this nation above their own and whose motives are for that which is right. I pray that You would give our leader discernment, understanding and knowledge so that our nation may know stability internally and abroad. I give thanks for our President according to Your Word and thank you for working in and through his leadership so that we might live in safety, peace, and in harmony with others.
Amen.

http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/

[Military Brat]

1. Warning - do not read after eating

Contents may cause extreme nausea.

[lovedems]

2. This is the kind of crap I find so offensive!

I know they mention the troops in their prayer but it is in the form of "success". There are people in Ethiopa starving on 100.00 ANNUAL income, people in Africa are dying of AIDS in unbelievable numbers, people in this country are losing their homes and their jobs, my list of tradgedies could go on and on...and they want to pray for people who are going to the polls and for religious court cases!

I am not against prayer, I think it works for some people, but come on, there are people out there TRULY suffering and people's prayers should be with them, not the idiot that started this current mess our country is in!

[zonmoy]

37. Isnt this proof

that demons actually pray that evil will increase.

[WindRavenX]

3. This line nearly made me gag:

"Pray that freedom to practice religion in America will be maintained"
Any religion that's Christian, that is. :eyes:

[elfwitch]

12. that's for damn sure

I'd even go so far to add:
Pray that freedom to practice fundamentalist evangelical Christian religion in America will be maintained

These people make me sick. There are pretty much only two groups of people I never give the benefit of the doubt to: evangelicals and pro-lifers. I pretty much want to stomp both groups in to paste whenever I run across them.

BTW -- Did anybody catch South Park last night? Could that have been any bigger of a dig at the "praise Jesus" types? Is was beautiful!!

[RummyTheDummy]

21. I'll go one further.....

What they wanted to say was "pray that jews, muslims, hindus and buddhists all receive their rightful dose of hellfire and damnation for their wicked beliefs"

[ithacan]

33. Theocracy Now!!

These guys are aiming for theocracy, pure and simple.

Check out this great but scary site that documents the takeover of the GOP by right-wing fundamentalist "Christians": http://www.theocracywatch.org/

[sable302]

4. well then

"Be you content with your present condition and portion God has given you."

It's funny how rich people are always reminding everyone else to be content with the share that God has given to them. What are they afraid of?

[elfwitch]

13. discontent

It is that whole Puritanical ethic that prevades this country. If you are poor, God willed it, and you should get used to it because you are a sinner and deserve to be poor. If you were a REALLY godly person you would have been born rich.

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

5. I prefer the OTHER Presidential Prayer Team site:

http://www.whitehouse.org/dof/prayer.asp

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[newyawker99]

17. Hi stretchb0x!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[stretchb0x]

18. Heya

I appreciate the welcome.

[PurityOfEssence]

7. "...do good to all men, especially to such as fear the Lord."

Why I dislike religion, chapter two hundred and six: because virtually all organized religions, whether they admit it or not, basically hold fast to the tenet of "fuck people who believe differently."

This is exactly what the problem is about establishing religion. To say that belief in a Supreme Being--even a statement as non-denominational as that--is a prerequisite or expectation for a fully-accepted member of society is to demand tyranny.

Basically, what this old man was saying to his children is this: "Prithee, be good to all, but if you're going to abuse someone, make sure he's a heathen."

Most of faith would be shocked to read what I'm writing here, and many would seriously believe that I'm combing over the initial statement just looking for something to pick a fight over. It's not some pissy little quibbling on my part; statements like this leap right off the page at me, screaming out loud.

Disgusting.

[elfwitch]

22. not entirely...

In my experience with Reform Judaism, it is very tolerant of everybody else. At the worst we just don't want people to try to convert us. People are absolutely welcome to believe differently. Our way is not the way for everyone and quite frankly, we are fine with that.

[PurityOfEssence]

27. which is why I like Judaism more than any other major religion

As an avowed agnostic with an assumption of no supreme being, and having been so since the age of six, I send my children to a Jewish pre-school. Admittedly, if there had been an affordable secular one in the neighborhood, it probably would have had a leg up, but this does say something.

I'm also in the entertainment business, and come from a family of scientists and engineers, so I've been among jews all my life. There's no proselytizing and there is a fairly broad acceptance of others. Yes, there is a belief in being the chosen, which grates some the wrong way as some form of superiority, but I don't feel that: I regard it as a communal identity without dismissal of "others".

There are many other things I like about the faith too, so your point is well taken.

On the other hand, you have to sift through 400 or so people on earth these days to find a Jew, whereas every third or forth person is some form of Christian. By in large, the intolerant religions hold sway, and this "us against them" concept is inherent in most belief systems.

I was careful to leave an out in my statement by way of qualification, so I think it still stands fairly well on its own.

It just always rankles me to hear people proclaiming their moral superiority, while simultaneously condoning--or promoting--the marginalization of the inferiors who don't go along with the groupthink. Such is the stuff of most major belief systems.

Yeah, I'm goyim, but I'm with you on your contention.

[elfwitch]

32. Not a Jew but Jew friendly?

It is quite difficult to find other Jews. And we don't generally make a big stinkin public deal about it.

A little insight to maybe make you feel a little better about the whole "chosen" thing. Here is the way I look at it. The Jews were the first monotheists. The chosen bit has more to do with being the first to go with the one God thing, than it does with being superior. I think of it as, Jews were the first to be offered an exclusive long term contract with God. We do our best to abide by the terms of the contract we signed. Kinda like being picked first on draft day.

[PurityOfEssence]

34. Huh? Did THAT offend you?

Am I misreading this?

[elfwitch]

35. no. no. no

Not at all. It's kinda like this, I am very pro-homosexual. I will stick up for gays even when they aren't around. I do not tolerate passive gay bashing of any form. I am so adament about it that people have often asked me if I am gay. I tell them "No, I'm gay friendly!" or in other terms "I am a friend of the FAMILY."

I think it is wonderful when non-Jews take the time to learn about Jew stuff. I was taking to a clerk at the Disney store the other day. She is gentil. Her boyfriend is Jewish. Her mother thought that her boyfriend's family wouldn't be nice to her because the mother was convinced the Jeiwsh family would think of the girl as a heathen. Big case of sheer ignorance about Jewishness.

Any time I get the chance to tell people about it I do, just to keep myths like this out of the general populace. It is nice to see non-Jews who are armed with a little bit of knowledge as well. You could prevent passive Jew bashing because you know stufff about the culture/religion.

[bluestateguy]

8. They'll close up shop when a Democrat is elected

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. Crock of shit!

F*ck the presidential prayer team. He can take his prayers and shove 'em where the sun doesn't shine.

From the "alternative prayer team" that was posted above
.
>>>>In recent days, the Presidential prayer team spends mornings engaged in imprecatory prayer. "For the Bible illiterate," notes Dr. Jerry Falwell, "that means 'prayers against folks that rub you the wrong way.' It's true that Jesus instructs us to love our enemies, but that doesn't mean we have to like them. In complete obedience to the Lord Jesus, I can tell you, I love to see my enemies dead. As a Christian, the President knows that Jesus will eventually slaughter them all and burn them in Hell, we're just trying to speed up the process." <<<<<<

I suspect THIS is the kind of praying they spend most of their time on. :mad:

[EdgarFriendly]

10. Problem with prayer?

Why would anyone have a problem with someone else praying?

Would you rather the president not pray at all?

Freedom of speech means allows for a person to pray, and even the President of the USA has the right of free speech.

The Pres. Pray Team is simply a group of people that want to know what the president and his team are thinking about and lookin towards.

If the president wishes to ask people to pray he can do that.

Just as you can say, "What an idiot" for his asking this.

I guess you think he's violating the civil rights of everyone who is not a Christian just by being President.

Free speech for anyone but Christians?

[Gato Moteado]

11. wake up and smell the hypocrisy dude....

chimpy ain't no christian.

[EdgarFriendly]

14. mabey so..

I won't debate that, only he knows the answer to that, but if he wants to pray to the Judeo-Christain God, more power to him.

If he wants to pray to himself, more power to him. As long as he believes in something.

[zonmoy]

38. Come now

he is a perfect follower of the godmonster. completely evil in every way.

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. I don't have a problem with prayer

What I have a problem with is the hypocrisy of it all. He can wage an illegal war, kill thousands and thousands of innocent people, He can take food out of the mouth of the poor. He can take benefits away from our Veterans while he sends our soldiers to Iraq to fight his damn illegal war. He can bankrupt our treasury. He can try to rape SS and Medicare. He can destroy our environment.....and sit in his cozy little world and pray??? He's a vile, vile man and I, IMCPO, think he is a damn hypocrite.

Please. They are all hypocrites. Like I said before. He can take his prayers and shove 'em where the sun doesn't shine. :mad:

[EdgarFriendly]

16. not to backup Bush on this...

but have you given up everything you own and given it to the poor in your area?

If not, you sit up there in your wealth while children are staving. you have just as much power to change things like that as he does.

[in_cog_ni_to]

20. Not to back up Bush?

you just did and did in your first post.

This topic was not about MY prayer group. It is about the shrub's hypocritical prayer group. I don't have a fraction of the power that asshole has so don't sit there and try to turn what he has done to destroy this country around on me. He's a hypocrite and the worse president this country has ever seen. If he's a Christian, I'll eat my shoe!

Yes, I do my share to help the poor and less fortunate. Not that it's any of your business.

[EdgarFriendly]

25. I guess you have

the ability to see into the hearts of everyone in his "prayer Group"

You have a serious ego problem there.

>>Yes, I do my share to help the poor and less fortunate. Not that it's any of your business.<<
Actually, you made it our business when you started screaming about anyone else not giving to the poor. Otherwise you would be a Hypocrite.

[elfwitch]

26. I don't think that...

I'm not entirely certain that you are getting in_cog_ni_to's point. I don't think that his/her point has anything to do with the people in the prayer group. I think the point is that Bush and his cronies try to make believe that they are so holy and religious. The people in the group probably do hve the best intentions. They probably do feel that their prayers will help the * in his troubles and decisions. The big problem is that this particular President trots out his "Christianity" any time someone dares to question his motives or ethics. Instead of taking responsiblity for their own actions and making real changes, they "pray" for the guidance of Jesus. As if Jesus has anything to do with public policy making decisions. They use the whole prayer thing like a crutch. It is used in such a way that if they screw up they can just say that people didn't pray hard enough or that it was God's will that things be screwed up.

THAT is the problem with this whole Prayer Team thing. It is taking away individual culpability. If things go wrong, it's God's decision.

[Kool Kitty]

24. Maybe you're right, Bush SHOULD follow the

Ten Commandments. Particularly the ones concerning killing and bearing false witness. Please. When the man has a problem, he covers himself with either the Bible or the flag, whichever is closest to him at the time. He's a hypocrite and no Christian.

[elfwitch]

23. I don't think it is that

I think the problem is that he and his use their piousness as a shield. We are SO much better than you because we make a big deal out of the fact that we pray at the drop of a hat. You should believe anything we say because we pray so much we couldn't possibly be doing anything wrong or unseemly. Look how moral we are because we pray so much.

They use their "Christianity" like a club on people.

[Q]

36. How did this become a 'free speech' issue?

- Many on the 'religious right' and one of Bush's* 'generals' have not only implied...they outright stated...that he was chosen by God to lead this country during 'these times'.

- George himself has said that God wanted him to become president.

- Given George's record of lying and cheating...one can ony assume that he hasn't spoken or communicated with God...but is USING God and religion for political purposes and for self-gain.

- Despots throughout history have used God to give themselves the 'divine right of Kings' and put themselves outside of the reach of the law.

[Selwynn]

19. I was with them for the first two paragraphs -- then if all fell apart.

The first two paragraphs represent what isn't wrong with spiritual beliefs. The rest of the post represents what's wrong with fundamentalists right wingers - and oh, how wrong it is. :(

[rasputin1952]

28. I found out long ago...

that praying, as these people are trying to do, doesn't work in the way they wish.

First off, prayer is a personal thing. Secondly, one should really ask for guidance more than specific items, especially items that may be construed as for personal gain. One prays in faith to God, not for
gain, but guidance.

Many more people are drawn to Christianity, (or any other religion), when those that profess to believe, actually adhere to the tenets of that religion; in Christianity, this is love, compassion, understanding and forgiveness. Traits that are sorely lacking in many that are vociferous in their religion, but not necessarily understanding what that religion entails.

I have little respect for these people, and it seems to me, I will gain little in the future. If they ever get it together, they will be surprised to see how easily they were deceived. In my opinion, God is real, and He does not suffer fools lightly.

O8)

[rasputin1952]

29. I found out long ago...

that praying, as these people are trying to do, doesn't work in the way they wish.

First off, prayer is a personal thing. Secondly, one should really ask for guidance more than specific items, especially items that may be construed as for personal gain. One prays in faith to God, not for
gain, but guidance.

Many more people are drawn to Christianity, (or any other religion), when those that profess to believe, actually adhere to the tenets of that religion; in Christianity, this is love, compassion, understanding and forgiveness. Traits that are sorely lacking in many that are vociferous in their religion, but not necessarily understanding what that religion entails.

I have little respect for these people, and it seems to me, I will gain little in the future. If they ever get it together, they will be surprised to see how easily they were deceived. In my opinion, God is real, and He does not suffer fools lightly.

O8)

[mumon]

30. WAIT YOU LEF T OUT THE STINKIEST VOMIT!

http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/files/1

Sick Sick sick!

[tom_paine]

31. Satan must be pleased

I cannot help but think that all the earnest prayers offered up to the AntiChrist must make Satan (if he exists) laugh and laugh and laugh like hell!