President Bush gave a eulogy for former President Gerald Ford at the memorial service at Washington National Cathedral on January 2.  Pray for President Bush as he prepares for two major speeches this month—his new strategy for Iraq and the State of the Union Address.  Photo courtesy of the White House.

1. America has had a sad week, as together we’ve said goodbye to a much loved president, Gerald Ford.  Mr. Ford was the 38th president of our country and was the oldest surviving president at age 93.  He was a godly man who served our country at a very difficult time.  So it’s a great time to give thanks to God for the great life and service of President Gerald Ford and to pray for his widow, Betty, his grown children, Steve, Jack, Mike and Susan and all the grandchildren and great grandchildren.  If you’ve ever lost a grandma or grandpa, you know how sad these loved ones may be feeling.  Pray that God’s strength and comfort will be very real to each of them as well as their friends and other family members.  Pray too that people will consider all the good and godly things about Gerald Ford’s life and give thanks to God for every leader who serves our country.
   
   
   
2. America has had another school shooting.  One student was killed at Foss High School in Tacoma, WA on Wednesday, January 3.  That is very sad, but it’s also a signal to pray—pray for the family and loved ones of the student who died that God will comfort and help them in their sadness.  Pray, too, for the safety of all our schools and the students and teachers who fill them every day.  Pray that our schools will be places of joyful learning and that godly values will be honored on every campus.  Pray for your school, and ask God to use you to be a positive influence in every way possible.  While you are at it, think of someone who you could tell about the great love of God! 
    
3. Something big started this week!  Do you know what it is?  The 110th Congress  had their first sessions and all the newly elected representatives and senators were sworn into office.  Many of these elected officials count on us to be praying for them, so let’s do it! Pray for all the men and women in the 110th Congress, asking God to guide them with his wisdom, to keep them safe and to help them work together to bring about the very best for America.  Pray for all the new leaders of Congress (see below) to work together well with President Bush and everyone in Washington who cares about the “common good” for our country.
   
   
4. Many troops are cycling in and out of Afghanistan and Iraq, so it is important to pray for their safety and to ask God to protect them as they travel and as they serve out country and preserve our freedom.   Pray for all our troops as they serve, whether in Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, Europe or here at home. 
   

These are the people who have special jobs in Congress.  Hover over each one to see what their responsibilities are.

President of the Senate—Richard B. Cheney
Senate Majority Leader—Harry Reid
President Pro Tem of the Senate—Robert Byrd
Senate Minority Leader—Mitch McConnell
Senate Majority Whip—Dick Durbin
Senate Minority Whip—Trent Lott
Speaker of the House—Nancy Pelosi
House Majority Leader—Steny Hoyer
House Minority Leader—John Boehner
House Majority Whip—James Clyburn
House Minority Whip—Roy Blunt

Susan Ford Bales reads from the Book of James during her father’s memorial service at Washington National Cathedral.  Pray that the reality of these Scriptures will come to rest on Washington this congressional term.  Photo courtesy of Washington National Cathedral.

President Ford was honored with several services and ceremonies.  These are the Scriptures that were read by President Ford’s children, Jack and Susan, at the memorial service at Washington National Cathedral on January 2.  Do you recognize these Bible verses?  Which verses would you choose if it was up to you?

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 
--The Bible, Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
--The Bible, James 1:19-25 (NIV)

Former President George H.W. Bush offered biblically based words of tribute to Gerald Ford during the service at Washington National Cathedral on January 2.  Photo courtesy of Washington National Cathedral.

From President George H.W. Bush’s eulogy of Gerald Ford, January 2, 2007

When President Ford was choosing a title for his memoirs, he chose words from the book of Ecclesiastes. Here was the verse:  “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.  “A time to be born, a time to die. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to weep, and a time to laugh.  A time to mourn, and a time to dance…”

In the end, we are all God’s children. And on this bittersweet day we can take solace that the Lord has come and taken this good man by the hand and led him home to heaven.

It is plain to see how the hand of providence spared Jerry in World War II and later against two assassination attempts. And for that we give thanks. It is just as plain to see how the same hand directed this good man to lead a life of noble purpose, a life filled with challenge and accomplishment, a life indelibly marked by honor and integrity. And today we give thanks for that, too.

May Almighty God bless the memory of Gerald R. Ford, keep him firm in the hearts of his countrymen. And may God bless his wonderful family.
--George H.W. Bush

The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.
--Samuel Chadwick

Vice President Richard Cheney will celebrate his birthday on January 30, and we’d like to give you the opportunity to offer your good words of blessing, prayer and Scripture to him!  We’ll compile your greetings and send them to Vice President Cheney in time for his birthday.  Click HERE to send your greeting. 

Over 100 Boy Scouts salute the casket of President Gerald Ford as it is escorted out of Washington National Cathedral after a stirring service honoring God and paying tribute to the former President.

A great American has gone home to his heavenly Father, and the nation watched as he was honored across the county, literally! 

President Gerald Ford died on December 26, 2006 at his home in Rancho Mirage, CA.  He was surrounded by his wife of 58 years, Betty, and the couple’s adult children.  President Ford was our nation’s oldest living president at age 93. 

For the next several days, the nation mourned the passing of this great man.  President Bush declared a national day of mourning.  Services were held at the couple’s Palm Desert, CA church, St. Margaret’s Episcopal, at Washington National Cathedral in our nation’s capital and at Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids, MI. 

What do you know about this wonderful and godly man?  Here are some interesting facts about Gerald Ford:

• Born with the name Leslie King, Jr.
• First move came when he was only 16 days old, spurred by his mother seeking to escape her abusive husband.
• Only president who was also an Eagle Scout.
• Star football player at the University of Michigan.
• Washed dishes at his fraternity house to help with college expenses. 
• Had offers from two NFL teams to play professional football—the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. Hover HERE to see a small image of a program from the Packers vs. Lions game in 1935. 
• Became an assistant football coach at Yale University while in law school. 
• Enlisted in the Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
• Was confirmed at his home church in 1947 at age 34.  Hover HERE to learn what “confirmation” means in the Episcopal Church.  It might not be the same as confirmation in your church’s tradition.
• In 1948, delayed his marriage to Betty Bloomer Warren because he was running for Congress for the first time.  Hover HERE to see a photo of the young couple at their wedding. 
• Was elected to Congress 13 times and served 25 ½ years before being tapped by President Richard Nixon to become Vice President. 
• First act after being sworn into office of President was to request prayers from the American people.
• Only person to serve as President without ever being elected to office of Vice President or President. 
• Shocked the nation when on September 8, 1974 he pardoned Richard Nixon, believing it was the best thing to do to heal America. 
• Survived two assassination attempts in a period of three weeks in fall 1975—without the Presidential Prayer Team!
• Developed a strong friendship with former President Jimmy Carter.
• At time of his death was the oldest living president. 

Gerald Ford, Jr. started life with the name of Leslie King, Jr.  Born in Omaha, NE, his mother left her husband, Gerald’s father, just 16 days after Gerald was born, because he had become abusive to her and she feared for Gerald’s life.  Later, she moved Gerald to Michigan and married Gerald Ford, Sr. 

This photo shows young Leslie as a toddler in 1915 with two dogs.  Ford was a lifelong dog lover—who knows, maybe that love got its start with this photo!  Do you know what kind of dogs therse two are?  Hover HERE for the answer. 

It’s true!  Any school child can grow up to be President of the United States.  This is Gerald Ford’s school portrait from Madison Elementary School in Grand Rapids, MI.  When young Leslie and his mother moved to Michigan, she met a good man, and when he was three, she married successful businessman Gerald Rudolff Ford.  Soon the couple began calling the boy by the same name, so Leslie became Gerald, Jr.  He did not learn about his heritage and family origins until he was 17. He was grateful for the wonderful family God had provided for him with Mr. Ford.  He had three half brothers in that family.  Photo courtesy of the University of Texas.  

Life in East Grand Rapids, MI was pretty good!  With his three half brothers, young Gerald enjoyed neighborhood play and lots of sports.  In this photo he is seen holding the reins of a pioneer wagon just before joining up with others for a neighborhood parade in 1923.  Image courtesy of the University of Texas.

Growing up in Michigan, Gerald R. Ford, Jr. enjoyed many fun activities.  Here you see him and his cousin Gardner James after a day of fishing off the dock in Silver Lake, MI. Gerald joined the Boy Scouts and went on to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.  He was the only president who was an Eagle Scout!  Even later in life, President Ford said he was very proud of that achievement—impressive from a man who has occupied the Oval Office!  Image courtesy of the University of Texas.