[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 6 (Monday, February 9, 2004)]
[Pages 195-197]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast

February 5, 2004

    Thank you and good morning. Laura and I are honored to join you once 
again for this annual prayer breakfast. This event brings us together 
for fellowship, and it's a good chance to see who gets up early in 
Washington. [Laughter]
    I appreciate the warm welcome. I appreciate the friendship and the 
kindred spirit. All of us believe in the power of prayer. And for a lot 
of people here in Washington, a prayer has been answered with three 
words: Coach Joe Gibbs. [Laughter] Joe is admired for a great career, 
and even more, he is respected for his convictions and his character. 
Joe, we're glad to see you back on the job. I'm all in favor of second 
terms. [Laughter]
    This event is also a chance to hear beautiful songs of praise. 
Shortly, we'll hear the wonderful voice of Twila Paris. And Laura and I 
were delighted once again to hear the Watoto chorus from Uganda. This is 
our third time to hear these beautiful voices. I hope to hear them a lot 
more. These boys and girls have known great sadness and loss, yet their 
voices carry a message of hope and joy. And we're so glad--so glad--they 
could be with us here this morning.
    I appreciate being in the presence of John Abizaid, our general. He 
is a decent and honorable man. I want to thank Senators Inhofe and 
Nelson for taking time out of their busy days to organize this important 
prayer breakfast. I appreciate your leadership. I appreciate being in 
the presence of--[applause]--a little slow to catch on there.
    I see the majority leader, Frist, is here, and a lot of Members of 
the Senate, and a lot of Members of the House. Thank you all for coming, 
members of my Cabinet who are here, members of the Joint Chiefs I see, 
distinguished citizens.
    When we come together every year, we leave aside the debates of the 
working day. We recognize our dependence on God and pray with one voice 
for His blessings on our

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country. We're in the Capital of the most powerful nation on Earth, yet 
we recognize the limits of all earthly power. God serves His own 
purposes and does not owe us an explanation. In prayer, we ask for 
wisdom and guidance, and the answers seldom come in blinding 
revelations. Yet prayer can bring good things, grace for the moment and 
faith in the future.
    Americans are a prayerful people, and this past year we've offered 
many prayers. We have prayed for the safety of our Nation and for those 
who defend us. We've prayed for the families of men and women killed or 
wounded in conflict, that in grief and trouble, God may be their refuge 
and their strength. We've prayed for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, 
that they may live in safety and in freedom. Many Americans have prayed 
every day and every week for those in authority, and I thank them for 
that wonderful gift, and I know you do as well.
    Many prayers also express our gratitude, and Americans in a time of 
danger have found much to be grateful for. We are thankful for the 
goodness and character of our fellow citizens, revealed on the morning 
of September the 11th and present every day in the life of this country. 
We are thankful that we live in a free nation, with the strength to 
defend our freedom. We are thankful for the brave and decent men and 
women of the United States military who volunteer to defend us all.
    America's Armed Forces have shown great skill in battle, 
perseverance under extremely difficult conditions. They've also shown 
the best of our country in other ways as well. The world has seen the 
kind of people America sends forth from our towns and neighborhoods to 
serve in freedom's cause. They are the sort of people who, when the 
fighting is done, are kind and compassionate toward innocent citizens. 
And their compassion, as much as their courage, has made this country 
proud.
    As General Abizaid can attest, the people under our command in Iraq 
have been caring and generous toward the people they have liberated. 
Seeing great need, our service men and women have rebuilt hospitals, 
repaired schools, and organized the donation of books and clothing and 
toys for Iraqi children. Others have helped to build clinics and lay out 
soccer fields.
    One member of the Army National Guard, Specialist Glenn Carlson, 
spent his time on leave in New York, collecting children's clothing to 
take back to Iraq. Here's what he says: ``I think that in the end, it 
will be the simple acts of kindness that make the difference.'' 
Specialist Carlson and many others are helping to build a free Iraq, not 
only by using force against the violent but by extending the friendship 
and compassion of the American people.
    Our people in uniform understand the high calling they have answered 
because they see the nation and the lives they are changing. A guardsman 
from Utah named Paul Holton has described seeing an Iraqi girl crying 
and decided then and there to help that child and others like her. By 
enlisting aid through the Internet, Chief Warrant Officer Holton had 
arranged the shipment of more than 1,600 aid packages from overseas. 
Here's how this man defines his own mission: ``It is part of our 
heritage that the benefits of being free, enjoyed by all Americans, were 
set up by God, intended for all people. Bondage is not of God, and it is 
not right that any man should be in bondage at any time, in any way.'' 
Everyone in this room can say amen to that.
    There's another part of our heritage we are showing in Iraq, and 
that is the great American tradition of religious tolerance. The Iraqi 
people are mostly Muslims, and we respect the faith they practice. Our 
troops in Iraq have helped to refurbish mosques, have treated Muslim 
clerics with deference, and are mindful of Islam's holy days. Some of 
our troops are Muslims themselves, because America welcomes people of 
every faith. Christians and Jews and Muslims have too often been divided 
by old suspicions, but we are called to act as what we are, the sons and 
daughters of Abraham.
    Our work in a troubled part of the world goes on, and what we have 
begun, we will finish. In the years of challenge, our country will 
remain strong and strong of heart. And as we meet whatever test might 
come, let us never be too proud to acknowledge our dependence on 
Providence and to take our cares to God.

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    I want to thank you for continuing this fine annual tradition and 
for your hospitality. May God bless you, and may He always watch over 
our country. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 7:50 a.m. at the Washington Hilton Hotel. 
In his remarks, he referred to Joe Gibbs, head coach, Washington 
Redskins football team; Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA, combatant commander, 
U.S. Central Command; and Senators James M. Inhofe and Bill Nelson, 
cochairmen, National Prayer Breakfast.