[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6165]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER IN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY

  (Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a member of 
the bipartisan Congressional Prayer Caucus to formally acknowledge the 
importance of prayer in American life and American history.
  Today I am honored to launch the first of what I hope will be weekly 
reminders of our country's need for prayer. I do so by reading a 
proclamation given by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 when he said, 
``From the birth of our Republic, prayer has been vital to the whole 
fabric of American life.''
  As we crossed and settled the continent, built a Nation in freedom, 
endured war and critical struggles to become a sentinel of liberty, we 
repeatedly turned to our Maker for strength and guidance in achieving 
the awesome tasks before us.
  Whether at the ordeal of the Revolutionary War, the stormy days of 
binding the 13 colonies into one country, the Civil War, or other 
moments of trial over the years, we have turned to God for His help. As 
we are told in II Chronicles 7:14: ``If my people, who are called by my 
name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from 
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their 
sin and will heal their land.''

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