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PRESS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 28, 2007
Contact: Abigail Shilling (202) 225-6365
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Members Call America to Pray for the
Nation |
WASHINGTON, D.C. –
Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) was joined today by over 38
other Members of Congress from 21 states for a bi-partisan press
conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Members officially
gathered to recognize the significant role that prayer has played in
the history of our nation and to encourage individuals to pray for
America and its leaders for five minutes each week.
“Our newspapers, televisions, and computers are overwhelmed with
negative voices. We have become cynical and have lost credibility in
many of our institutions. Our nation faces enormous challenges that
seem to grow daily,” said Forbes. “We come today with condemnation
for no one, but rather with a new dawning of hope: hope that we can
lift America up, not beat her down; hope that people across this
nation will join our call and pray; hope that God will hear our
prayers and heal our land.”
At the press conference, Members signed a “Call to Prayer for
America,” a declaration which states the historical significance of
prayer in our nation and reiterates the freedoms upon which this
country was founded – the right of any individual to decline to pray
or the freedom for those who believe in the power of prayer to
utilize that opportunity to ask for blessings upon the nation.
Congressman Forbes adjourned the press conference with the prayer of
Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall, delivered on the floor of the Senate
on March 18, 1948:
“Our Father in Heaven, save us from the conceit which refuses to
believe that God knows more about government than we do, and deliver
us from the stubbornness that will not seek God’s help. Today we
claim Thy promise: ‘If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God, who
giveth to all liberally and it shall be given to him.’ Thou knowest,
Lord, how much we need it. Make us willing to ask for it and eager
to have it. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
Congressman Forbes then noted the desire of the members to have
similar press conferences at each state capitol across the country.
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