All the Bible verses in this edition of The Presidential Prayer Team
for Kids Update are from The New Living Translation of the Bible.
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  • President Lyndon Johnson tells about leaders relying on prayer!
  • Symbols—they’re everywhere! Do you know what they mean?
  • Martin Luther tells how he pleases God in prayer.

Things to pray for

This little boy and his dad are getting on a ship to evacuate to the island of Cyprus. They are U.S. citizens who are being helped by the U.S. military which is coordinating all the evacuation of Americans from Lebanon. Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense.
  1. Maybe you’ve been listening to the news this week. Perhaps you’ve seen the pictures of bombs and explosions and people looking scared while they are trying to get out of the country of Lebanon. When things like this happen, kids and grownups alike feel worried. We may feel like we don’t know what to do. But as a kid who prays, you know exactly what to do--you can pray! You can turn to God, who knows everything, and who holds everything in His hands. So this is a very good time to pray that God will intervene in the conflict in the Middle East and will help everyone involved. Pray for the President and Secretary of State Rice as they consider how they can help other world leaders bring and end to the conditions that created this conflict. Especially, we can pray that terrorism in the world will end, and that people will seek peace instead.
President Bush enjoys a lighter moment during last weekend’s G-8 Summit. The leaders of the world spent much of their time considering how to respond to the crisis in the Middle East. Pray for all the leaders of the world to work together to being peace to this situation. Photo courtesy of the White House.
  1. Pray for President Bush as he leads our country through another difficult time, remembering that God promises to be our help and strength, especially when we call on Him. Pray that President Bush, Secretary of State Rice and other leaders will have God’s best wisdom as they decide how best to respond to the crisis between Israel and terrorist group Hezbollah as it impacts the country of Lebanon.
  2. Since so many people are being evacuated from Lebanon, there is some confusion and hardship, so we must pray for those leaving Lebanon, whether they are tourists, students, government workers or residents, that they will be able to leave safely. Pray for the country of Cyprus as many evacuees are going there, that they will have food and shelter and the opportunity to go elsewhere in safety. Pray for scared families and moms and dads who don’t know if their loved ones are safe.
A mom and her daughter get ready to board a U.S. helicopter at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon so they can be airlifted to the island of Cyprus. Pray for all the kids who have been evacuated this week, that they will feel safe and will be strong in God’s love. Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense.
  1. Something else extraordinary happened this week. President Bush used his veto power for the very first time in the five and a half years of his presidency. He vetoed a law that would have allowed embryos, to be used for medical research, rather than allowed to grow up and become happy, healthy kids! At the same time, he signed into law two great bills that will help promote more medical research to help people with very bad diseases. So thank God for the protection of these little lives, and pray that the scientists who are researching ways to help people with very bad diseases will have great success. Give thanks that our President values life so dearly.
  2. Pray for our troops, because wherever they are around the world, they are serving the cause of freedom, and we are the ones who are benefiting! Pray a word of thanks to God, especially for those who are in Beirut, Lebanon helping with evacuation efforts. Pray for safety for every member of our military, and don’t forget about those who are still in Iraq.

Leaders to pray for


Secretary of Defense—Donald Rumsfeld
Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is a great person to lead America’s Defense Department. He was appointed by President Bush for service during his first administration and now continues his service. Secretary Rumsfeld came to the Defense Department four years ago after a great career in business. He also served in the military as a Navy pilot, and has worked for several former presidents including Gerald Ford. Secretary Rumsfeld also served in Congress representing his home state of Illinois from 1962-68.

As Secretary of Defense, Mr. Rumsfeld is responsible for directing the actions of his department in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 including our efforts in Iraq. He advises President Bush on all matters of defense and works with him and other members of the Defense Department to decide how our country will defend herself against outside threats. He is responsible for creating our defense policy and for making sure that it is carried out. The Department of Defense includes the Army, Navy (including the Marine Corps), Air Force, the Inspector General and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Secretary Rumsfeld is also a member of the President’s cabinet and a member of the National Security Council.

Secretary Rumsfeld is married to Joyce and they celebrated their 50th anniversary last year. They have three children and five grandchildren. Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense.

Bible Verses of the week

Listen to my prayer and my request, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to You.
—II Chronicles 6:19

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times.
—Romans 1:8-10

Image of Martin Luther courtesy of PBS.

Many things I have tried to grasp, and have lost. That which I have placed in God’s hands I still have.
--Martin Luther

When Martin Luther said he could only “have” the things he placed in God’s hands, what did he mean? Hover here for some thoughts.

Portrait courtesy of the White House Historical Society.

“The men who have guided the destiny of the United States have found the strength for their tasks by going to their knees. This private unity of public men and their God is an enduring source of reassurance for the people of America.”
-- Lyndon B. Johnson

When President Johnson referred to the “men who have guided the destiny of the United States” do you think he is talking only about the Founding Fathers? What other individuals have guided the destiny of the U.S.? Have they been men of prayer? Hover here for some thoughts.

Does your car have a little silver dove on the back? Or a simple fish design? If you do, your parents probably placed it there so that your family could be recognized as Christians. Did you ever wonder how the dove and the fish became symbols that stand for faith in Christ? If so, keep reading!

A symbol is a simple picture that tells a story or represents an idea. The world is full of symbols. As you grow up, you learn to understand these symbols. You can’t get along in life without understanding certain symbols. Do you remember how old you were when you first realized what a stop sign stood for? The stop sign is an important symbol to understand, even before you are a driver! And how can you figure out which restroom is the right one for you if there are no symbols on the door?

Throughout history, people have used symbols to declare their beliefs, show their loyalty, or honor the memory of others.

Some of the symbols we know and use so readily have interesting stories behind them. Today we are going to learn about some of the symbols used by Christians as well as some of the symbols that mean the most to us as Americans. You may be surprised by what you learn!

This fish painting was made by early Christians in the catacombs of Rome. The fish is carrying a basket with five loaves of bread on his back! This image represents the miracle Jesus performed when he fed 5,000 people at one time. Early Christians used this kind of picture to remind each other that God will take care of them and will always provide for their needs. Photo courtesy of the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archeology.

Christians have used pictures of fish for many centuries. The fish was popular with the earliest Christians because when they saw a picture of a fish, they thought of the loaves and the fishes that Jesus and His disciples used to feed the 5,000. A fish was a direct symbol of Jesus’ miraculous power and His ability to care for them.

Also, the word “fish” in Greek is “ichthys.” (Pronounce ik-thoose.) It may sound funny to you, but it took on great meaning to first century Christians because they found a special meaning in each letter of the word. Here’s the acrostic they made: Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter, which means Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.

The fish was also a secret symbol for church members. As people living under a government that did not allow them the freedom to worship and believe as they pleased, they needed a way to know who was a part of the church and who was not. When two strangers would meet, one might draw one arc of the fish with their foot in the dirt. If the other person completed the drawing, they knew they shared belief in Christ.

The Bible is filled with many references to fish. Can you think where you would find one of the stories of loaves and fishes that inspired the catacomb painting above? Hover here to read.

Photo courtesy of usenet.com.

If you had to guess why the dove is a popular symbol for the Christian faith, what would you say? Of course the dove is a universal symbol of peace. For Christians, it speaks of God’s peace and His communication with His people.

Doves were present in two very important Bible stories. Can you think of one from the Old Testament? Hover here to read.

Can you think of a story in the New Testament in which a dove plays a very special role? Hover here to read.

The early church had many, many symbols for their faith--symbols to encourage them, to remind them about the truth of Jesus, and symbols to bring them hope when they were discouraged.

Image courtesy of FaithfulFriends.org.
Image courtesy of gospelcom.net.

The anchor was a very common symbol to the church of the first few centuries. Because it was a common symbol, and not one suspected by Roman officials, it worked well for early Christians. In fact, if you lived during the first few centuries, you would never have put a cross around your neck--that was a symbol of death! Early Christians used symbols of hope and of life--things that reminded them that God was their helper and deliverer. That’s how they began using the anchor. When they saw an anchor, they were reminded that no matter how badly they were persecuted, Jesus was the anchor Who would hold on to them and not let them get lost. The anchor was also a great symbol because it has the image of the Cross within it--like a secret symbol that Roman guards would not recognize.

Click HERE to see an amazing photo of an anchor (or is it a fishhook?) with two fish.

Can you think of a Bible verse that talks about anchors--maybe a verse that might have inspired the Early Christians to adopt the anchor as their secret symbol of hope? Hover here to read.

There are dozens and dozens of other symbols that have meaning for the Christian church. What is your favorite? Do you know of a symbol that we have not mentioned here today? Write us and tell us about it and why you like that symbol. Click here to email PPT Kids.

It’s fun to think of symbols that have meaning to Christians. They encourage and help us remember how much God loves each of us.

As members of The Presidential Prayer Team for Kids, we also enjoy another bunch of symbols that are filled with meaning for us. Those are the symbols of our nation.

What symbols do you think of when you think of America? Here are some we came up with:

    Statue of Liberty Liberty Bell Bald Eagle Capitol Building White House Great Seal
Which is your favorite?

Which symbol of the United States is missing? There are probably several--but we are thinking of our American flag! It is perhaps the very best symbol of strength, courage and hope for Americans.

What do you feel when you see the flag? Does your heart stir? Do you think of a loved one or family member who gave their life for your everyday freedom? Do you think of the Star Spangled Banner and the inspirational battle that caused Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem?

Whatever your emotion, it’s important to know the symbolism of the American flag.

Our Founding Fathers were very thoughtful and deliberate when they planned what our first flag would look like. They knew they wanted something special--as a new nation, they needed a unique flag that would stir courage and muster bravery among the Colonists.

The Colonists had created a variety of flags during the years before Independence was declared.

This flag was commissioned for the U.S. Navy--the first branch of the military called for by the Continental Congress. The rattlesnake became a symbol of Colonial unity in the early days. Benjamin Franklin was fond of the rattlesnake as a symbol of the Colonies, especially when it was learned that a mature rattler had 13 rattles, symbolizing the 13 colonies. Image courtesy of foundingfathers.info.
This flag is called the Grand Union flag. Can you see how it looks partly British? The upper left carries the British Union Jack while the 13 red and white stripes represent the 13 colonies. This flag was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1775 and was first flown in December, 1775, by the Colonial fleet of ships in the Delaware River. On land, it was first flown on January 1, 1776, at George Washington's headquarters near Boston. Image courtesy of ushistory.org.

Neither of these flags--or dozens of others that had been used--would do, so General George Washington, Robert Gouverneur Morris and George Ross went to a young Philadelphia seamstress named Betsy Ross. They told her they needed a special flag.

Betsy Ross met with three Colonial leaders to decide the design of the new American flag. Image courtesy of ushistory.org.

Betsy Ross willingly stitched the new flag that was hastily sketched out by General Washington--with one suggested change. The original design was for a six pointed star, but Betsy told the men that a five pointed star was a better choice for their flag. She showed them how she could create a five-pointed star with one snip of the scissors. The men agreed to her suggestions, and before long, Betsy was in the flag business. In fact, after the flag was first flown and approved by Congress, she devoted herself fully to making the new American flag, stitching as many as possible from her upholstery shop.

General Washington and his fellows wanted red, white and blue for good reasons--red symbolizes hardiness and valor, bravery and courage. The white symbolizes hope, purity and innocence. Blue stands for reverence to God, loyalty, vigilance, perseverance and justice. In time, the red would also come to stand for the blood that was shed by soldiers for our freedom.

The thirteen stripes on our flag stand for the 13 original colonies. At first, a new stripe was added for each new state as well as a new star. After awhile, there were just too many stripes on the flag, so it was decided that there would only be 13 stripes for the original colonies and a new star would be added for each state.

WEEKLY QUIZ

QUESTION 1

True or False, The fish symbol was used in the first century as a secret code to tell if someone was a believer in Christ.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 2

True or False, The reason the fish was used was because it reminded early Christians of God’s gracious provision for them all the time--just like when Jesus fed 5,000 people at once.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 3

True or False, The dove is a symbol of value to Christians because it is a nice, peaceful bird that everyone loves.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 4

True or False, The anchor was used as a meaningful symbol by early Christians because so many of the apostles were fishermen. It was a common symbol with them.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 5

True or False, Betsy Ross made changes to the original design that was brought to her by George Washington.

  1. True
  2. False

A WORD TO PPT KIDS

It’s good to know about symbols. As you grow, many symbols that will take on meaning for you--perhaps the logo of your favorite sports team, a favorite brand of clothing you like or something else. We want to remind PPT Kids that as kids who pray, you need to always remember to keep God and His love for you first in your life. You may want to learn more about the many symbols that are meaningful to Christians, so you can be encouraged by them.

And remember to keep one important symbol--The Presidential Prayer Team logo--right where you can see it all the time. That way you will always remember to pray for the President, because that’s one of the most important things about being a member of The Presidential Prayer Team for Kids, after all!

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