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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files
Folder Title: Campus Crusade for Christ
Box: 33
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
-
Compus crusade
Vonette Bright
May 7, 1983
christ for
Dear Morton,
Thank you for joining me in nominating Dee
Jepsen for Religious Heritage's Churchwoman of the
Year. Your comments were very gracious, and coming
from you, lent much credibility to our nomination.
I look forward to hearing if Dee receives this
award; I would love for her to have this honor.
Sincerely,
Mr. Morton Blackwell
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Arrowbead Springs, San Bernardino, California 92414
CAMPUS
CRUSADE
FOR
CHRIST
INTERNATIONAL
Arrowhead Springs, San Bernardino, California 92414, U.S.A. Telephone (714) 886-5224 William R. Bright, President
October 21, 1982
Mr. Morton Blackwell
Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
My dear Morton:
Yesterday was an historic day and could well be the prelude to the
greatest spiritual awakening this nation has ever known. Imagine how
pleased the Lord will be when tens of millions of Americans begin to
read and obey His Word as a result of 1983 The Year of the Bible.
As that happens, you can know that you played a major role in this
magnificent undertaking for the glory of God. You have helped to
make it possible.
I trust that by this time the President has agreed to serve as honorary
chairman of The Year of the Bible and the machinery is beginning to
roll. John Jones and Glenn Jones have, no doubt, been in touch with
you since the meeting and I am available if there is anything that I
need to do.
In a few hours I leave for Europe to meet with all of our Directors
of Affairs who give leadership on each of the continents, representing
151 countries. Surely the greatest spiritual harvest of all times is
taking place throughout the world. What an exciting time to be alive.
You are helping to lay up treasures in heaven and I am grateful for
the privilege of being associated with you.
Warm affection in Christ.
Yours for fulfilling the Great
Commission in this generation,
Bill
WRB:yko
PROPOSED DRAFT
Letter from the President to Dr. Bill Bright
Dear Bill;
As I announced at the National Prayer Breakfast February 3, I am
pleased to accept your invitation to be Honorary Chairman of the
National Committee for the year of the Bible.
I am sure that our committee, with you as Chairman and with Cardinal
Krol, Dr. Zimmerman and Dr. Cohen as Vice Chairmen, will produce
great results.
When you first presented to me last year the idea of 1983 as
"Year of the Bible", I was enthusiatic. It is an honor to be
associated with you in this endeavor. This effort has not only my
whole-hearted support, but my prayers as well.
Our proclamation stresses the Bible's great contribution to our
nation's past, and our need to have it guide our future. Your efforts
will be crowned with success as 1983 becomes the beginning of a
renewal of faith.
Thank you once again.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
William R. Bright is the founder and president of
Campus Crusade for Christ International. The
scope of this ministry, which he founded in 1951,
is now worldwide. The Campus Crusade staff of
approximately 16,000 minister to millions of students
and laymen in 150 countries and protectorates of the
world, discipling them in the Christian life and
training them to share their faith with others. Dr.
Bright is the author of numerous articles and pam-
phlets, and a number of books, the most recent of
which are Believing God for the Impossible and
The Holy Spirit, the Key to Supernatural Living.
Ben Haden, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church
in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the speaker on the
nationwide weekly television and radio program,
"Changed Lives. If Three years out of seminary, he
was chosen to be the speaker on "The Bible Study
Hour," a national radio program founded by the
late Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse in 1931. After two
years on this program, Ben Haden left to start his
own radio ministry. "Changed Lives" is a nondeno-
minational program, geared to both believer and
unbeliever.
Stephen Olford, President of Encounter Ministries,
Inc., is a spokesman recognized the world over for
his expository preaching and pastoral leadership.
Dr. Olford has pastored churches in England and
New York City, and in 1970 he launched Encounter
Ministries, a church-related organization with an
international outreach through radio, television,
literature, pastors' institutes, Christian Life Con-
ventions, ministry to missionaries, and Bible
conferences. His deep concern is for expository
preaching in the pulpit, spiritual renewal in the
church, and aggressive evangelism in the world.
PRAYER:
THE SECRET TO EVANGELISM
American
widows, serving them food and so forth, so that the
Twelve could devote themselves to prayer and to the
ministry of the Word (preaching and teaching). It is
interesting to note in verse four that prayer is mentioned
first in ministry, then preaching and teaching.
Jesus is our example. "Early in the morning while it
was yet dark, he went to a lonely place to pray."
In reply to the question of the disciples as to why they
were unable to cast out a demon, Jesus said, "This kind
goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
The Book of Acts records the dependence of the
Twelve and the early church upon prayer. In each record
of united, specific prayer there is recorded a demon-
stration of God's power in answer.
by Vonette Zachary Bright
Jesus demonstrated His dependence upon God for
His power and direction. If Jesus needed this time alone
Press a combination of numbered buttons, turn the
with the Father, how much more do we. Then, as the
door knob and the door opens to the church prayer room
Twelve expressed their dependence upon God, their
that was once an outside storage closet. The lock is for
prayers were dramatically answered. The early church,
security as men and women pray around the clock. The
too. experienced phenomenal growth as a result of its
pastor very proudly shows us the beautifully decorated
people expressing their dependence upon God.
room, interrupting the person praying just long enough
During "Here's Life" campaigns in the United States
to explain how prayer requests are recorded and prayed
from 1975 to 1977, we saw citywide cooperation in prayer
for during the twenty-four hours. Two couples of the
for evangelism in 246 major cities and in thousands of
church had visited Arrowhead Springs. They observed
smaller communities across America as probably never
the 24-hour Prayer Ministry and returned home to
before; and yet, after the media campaigns were over the
challenge their congregation to begin a prayer ministry
prayer lists and emphasis were all too often folded up
in their church. One of the laymen was a carpenter and
and put in a bottom drawer. Now there is only the
the other was very handy with a paint brush. These two
lingering memory of how wonderful it was when chur-
couples largely pooled their resources to finance the
ches were praying and working together in the com-
project.
munity.
"As a direct result of the new prayer emphasis the
We have learned that people do not change their life-
church has become alive with anticipation," explained
styles overnight. When an individual receives Christ, that
the pastor. "My preaching has experienced the blessing
is the time to really concentrate in prayer to see that he is
of God in greater measure, people are coming to know
established in his faith. As we pray and look for ways to
Christ and the church has become different. Our church
show we care, the new Christian soon sees the relevancy
has become a house of prayer."
of the church to his life, as he is discipled and established
Similar stories are being shared in greater number as
in his faith.
many churches are accelerating their prayer emphasis,
How can prayer serve as a catalyst in promoting
not just for a target date, but on a continuing basis. I
evangelism in a church? Let me suggest some methods
believe that this is one of the signs of revival in our time.
that many different churches have applied and have
More people are united together in specific prayer now
found successful.
than perhaps at any time in history; and yet, prayer is
still the most neglected facet of Christian worship.
The greatest privilege and most available resource for
VONETTE ZACHARY BRIGHT is Director of the Great
the Christian is prayer. Jesus said, "My house shall be
Commission Prayer Crusade, a movement which seeks
called a house of prayer." Yet the Lord's house is known
to unite Christians around the world in prayer. Her
for worship, singing, preaching, fellowship and many
workshop on prayer for worldwide evangelization was
other activities, but all too often very little prayer. The
presented at the American Festival of Evangelism on
Wednesday, July 29, 1981. Mrs. Bright may be con-
most pathetic meeting of the week, if it takes place at all,
tacted for further information in care of Campus
is often the prayer meeting.
Crusade for Christ International, Arrowhead Springs,
In Acts 6, the early disciples appointed ad-
San Bernardino, CA 92414.
ministrators to assume the responsibilities of caring for
Teach the Congregation to Pray
facts as you can about the person for whom you are
praying. Where does he live? What kind of family does
The first step is to teach the congregation to pray. For
he have? Is there some special need in his life? Take a
many, prayer is a responsibility for the "super-spiritual."
drive past his home to gain an impression of how to pray
As one elderly Christian woman shared, "I have always
more intelligently for the individual. This is an excellent
been available enough to pray but could never fill more
way to follow up the visitor to your church or the person
than fifteen minutes with prayer. After attending a
who has indicated an interest in Christ. Look for a way to
Dynamics of Prayer Workshop, one hour in prayer just
show love and concern for the person for whom you are
goes zipping by." Often people who are assumed to be
praying.
mature Christians have never voiced a prayer aloud, nor
This same principle with some amplification would
have spent very much time in prayer because they just
apply as you pray for people in your neighborhood or in
did not know how. We many times assume that when a
the neighborhood around the church. So many times we
person becomes a Christian he automatically knows how
are involved in evangelism in other parts of the city and
to pray. The early disciples asked Jesus, "Teach us to
yet neglect the neighborhood of the church or the one in
pray."
which we live.
We learn to pray "by praying," talking to God in
Draw a map of the block on which you live. Place a
reverence (or respect), as we would talk to our very best
square on the map in the approximate location of each
friend. Mechanics, methods or how to's are important
house and record the house number. The name of the
only as they enable us to know God better, the real
person or family living there and the telephone number
purpose of prayer. Application of methods in prayer,
can be obtained from a city cross-directory, usually
however, can stimulate our thinking, help us con-
available at the city library. Begin to pray for people by
centrate, focus our attention and help us to be creative,
name, house by house, gathering information which you
all of which can make prayer an exciting and meaningful
may wish to place on a separate piece of paper for each
interaction with our heavenly Father.
household. As soon as you have the liberty of spirit, visit
For example, encouraging people to pray privately or
or telephone the people to tell them who you are and that
in groups in modern language, simple and short prayers,
you have been praying for them. Perhaps mention your
spontaneous and conversational, helps the new believer
church as a praying and caring church.
or one inexperienced in prayer to feel at ease and more
confident in praying aloud. It also causes the person
more experienced in prayer to concentrate on choosing
Time goes quickly in prayer when we
his words more carefully in order to not intimidate the
beginner, and also helps to develop a more intimate
are stimulated, inspired and feel
personal relationship with God.
that our prayers are vital and are
Using Scripture in Prayer
being heard.
Applying the Scripture in prayer is very meaningful
and helps to build our confidence in prayer. For
A suggested approach is: "Hello, my name is
example, choose a specific verse of Scripture which
(name). I'm your neighbor at (address). During the
relates to the subject of evangelism such as: Rom. 10:1, I
past several weeks I have been praying for the health,
Tim. 2:4-6; 2 Tim. 2:25,26; Eph. 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:3,4; 2 Pet.
welfare and spiritual well-being of each family living on
3:9; Mt. 9:37,38; Rom. 10:13-15; Jn. 14:13-14; Jn. 6:44;
our block (or in this neighborhood). You have been
Rev. 3:20. Choose thoughts from a specific verse, even
included in that prayer. I hope there have been some
the same words, to pray, claiming God's promise. We
good happenings in your life as a result of my prayers. I
know that we are praying according to God's will when
wanted to stop by to meet you to see if you have any
we are praying words of Scripture back to Him.
specific concerns or needs for which I can pray." After
Using entire passages of Scripture in prayer can be
the person's response, make note of requests or any
meaningful. Any one of the last five Psalms (145-150) is
special observations. Ask for the names of members of
conducive to this kind of praying. Begin to read verse
the family in order that you may pray specifically for
one. Read the verse and pray to God the thoughts that
them.
the words of the verse inspire. Read the second verse and
This principle of prayer for one block or neigh-
pray again the thoughts and words that come to you.
borhood can be-applied for every block or neighborhood
Continue in this way through the passage. This is a
surrounding the church. The main objective is to reach
delightful, rewarding way to pray as an individual or in a
the total community. As one block at a time is reached,
group as each person reads through the passage and
those involved will begin to see the total community come
prays a verse of Scripture.
into focus. It is hard to visualize reaching the world when
Time goes quickly in prayer when we are stimulated,
we cannot see the community being reached.
inspired and feel that our prayers are vital and are being
To strengthen the Here's Life Campaign in Mon-
heard. Using the Scripture can contribute to a
terrey, Mexico, the telephone directory is proving to be a
meaningful experience in prayer.
vehicle for prayer. Church members select certain
portions of the telephone directory and, after praying for
Evangelistic Prayer
these names, call them, talking to them as just explained
Praying evangelistically for people whom you do not
in the neighborhood personal visit. In addition to finding
know to come to know Christ can be a very hard task.
prayer needs, you may learn whether or not the person is
a Christian. Make an appointment to meet the individual
This demands creative thinking. The Scripture verses
will help, but so will some other ideas. Gather as many
personally should he not already have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here's Life, Taiwan has a plan in operation in which
whom to pray, city leadership and groups of individuals
church members are divided into groups of four in each
listed by name, is a real key to seeing a dramatic working
prayer cell. Each person lists four persons for whom to
of the Spirit of God. For example, in one church, a 24-
pray and to look for opportunity to show love and
hour prayer chain listed all of the state legislators and
concern. Those for whom they are praying may be
the city government officials. The men in the church
members of families or individuals in the church. As a
decided they would like to pray specifically for the city
person finds Christ, he is invited to join the prayer cell.
policemen. Within two months, totally on their own
As soon as the cell doubles in number, it splits into two
initiative and separately, two of the policemen started
cells.
attending church and within a few weeks were baptized.
There were only two violent crimes in six months in that
city in comparison to two such crimes each month before
the men of the church began to pray.
Pastor Prayer Support Team
The Pastor Prayer Support Team is another effective
prayer plan for evangelism. This is designed to provide
the pastor and his church with a foundation block of
Prayer and Evangelism: Critical Concerns
prayer that can be used to launch all activities of the
church, including movements of evangelism and
Prayer and evangelism go hand in hand. To keep
discipleship.
people excited about prayer they must see answers to
Ideally, the pastor selects 31 men, each of whom will
their prayers. People will also take action to be part of
join with him as a prayer partner for a given day each
the answers to their prayers as they are trained in
month. Naturally, if 31 men can't be selected, then the
evangelism and discipleship. One of these aspects of the
pastor would begin with whatever number is available.
Christian life cannot survive without the other. People
This would necessitate some men being involved more
need to be taught how to pray, how to walk consistently
than one day per month. For example, if only seven men
in the power of the Holy Spirit, how to effectively share
could be recruited initially, then these men would be
their faith and how to disciple the new believer. All of
involved one day each week for the entire month.
these are important aspects of evangelism. For too long
On Sunday or Monday of each week, the pastor
we have emphasized the other aspects without the special
would meet with the seven men assigned for that week
emphasis of prayer that allows the Spirit of God to
(Monday through Sunday) for a one-hour meeting. The
accomplish His purpose.
pastor would lead the group in a 15-minute devotional
History records that no spiritual awakening has ever
and then spend 45 minutes in actual prayer. Also, the
taken place anywhere in the world apart from an ex-
seven laymen would exchange with the pastor 3 X 5 cards
traordinary effort of prayer. God seems to be impressing
outlining their prayer requests. Likewise, the pastor
upon His people a new burden of prayer today. As we
would give each layman a 3 X 5 card outlining his
unite together as believers in churches. communities and
schedule and needs for that given day; thus, each day of
nations around the world, following the example
the month the pastor and one of his men would be in-
recorded in Acts 4:24-32, perhaps we will see the world
terlocked in prayer.
evangelized today as the first century disciples saw it in
On Sunday morning of each week, the seven men who
their time. The emphasis is, "united in prayer
in one
had been praying the previous seven days would meet in
heart and mind." The secret to evangelism in the church,
the pastor's study to pray for him preceding or during
the community, the nation and throughout the world is
the worship service(s).
God's people praying in united, specific prayer.
This same strategy could be implemented by the
All of us are aware that the crisis facing the world
pastor's wife, only the women would meet previous to or
today has no known precedence in all of history. We
during the Sunday school hour on Sundays to pray for all
know that the solution is not found in legislative
the teachers.
agendas but in repentance, prayer and spiritual revival.
This plan would provide the pastor and his wife with
Though many believe we are experiencing a great
continuous prayer throughout the entire year, thus
spiritual awakening in various parts of the world, there is
producing the power base for their entire ministry.
little or no significant change in the moral climate of the
As you can readily see, this strategy could be applied
world. Major crimes continue to accelerate. Por-
to many other situations as you allow the Holy Spirit to
nography, homosexuality, drug addiction and alcoholism
develop creative ideas within your mind.
are increasingly accepted or tolerated. Millions of un-
born babies are being deprived the privilege of life as a
Church Prayer Vigils
result of legalized murder. Many world leaders are
telling us the only hope for survival of civilization as we
Church Prayer Vigils are effective for special em-
know it is a spiritual awakening.
phasis in evangelism. These consist of groups of people
God promises His blessing upon all who trust and
who will pray for the church and its activities for a
obey Him. Throughout history, nations have been
specific period of time, on a monthly basis. For example,
blessed with security and prosperity from God. But
8-hour, 16-hour or 24-hour vigils require 32, 64 or 96
instead of thankfully recognizing the source of their
persons to pray for 15 minutes each during a specified
power, nations have exalted man and his achievements,
time of the vigil. These participants may also be included
rejecting God and His moral law. Humanity has begun to
in an emergency prayer chain.
worship self-made gods of humanism, materialism and
Praying unitedly and specifically, making lists for
hedonism.
Christian leaders around the world are expressing
addiction, abortion, alcoholism, lack of love and unity in
deep concern about the moral deterioration and
the body of Christ, worship of the gods of materialism,
rebellion that is enveloping the nations of the earth. As
pleasure and other manmade gods rather than the true
the director of the Great Commission Prayer Crusade,
and living God." The sackcloth and ashes pin is a
God began to impress upon me that Christians need to
reminder for the Christian to:
pray for the world in a heart attitude of sackcloth and
(1) Yield consistently to the Holy Spirit's direction by
ashes. Three verses of Scripture emphasize the im-
confessing all known personal sin and recognizing
portance of this concept:
God's call to holiness of life.
Isaiah 22:12-14: "Therefore in that day the Lord God
(2) Confess the sin of his nation and use his influence to
of Hosts, called you to weeping, to wailing, to shaving the
help make proper correction and restitution.
head and to wearing sackcloth. Instead, there is gaiety
(3) Pray daily for a moral and spiritual awakening and
and gladness, killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep,
for the evangelization of the world.
eating of meat and drinking of wine: 'Let us eat and
(4) Take the initiative in sharing his faith in Christ with
drink for tomorrow we may die.' But the Lord of Hosts
others and in demonstrating God's love and
revealed Himself to me,' Surely this iniquity shall not be
forgiveness in his relationships.
forgiven you until you die,' says the Lord God of Hosts."
Is there any hope for a nation plagued by sin? Yes!
Matthew 11: 20-24: "Then He began to reproach the
God's mind and intentions can be changed by prayer and
cities in which most of His miracles were done, because
repentance. Jonah prophesied doom to the wicked city of
they did not repent. 'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,
Nineveh and the entire city repented in sackcloth and
Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and
ashes. "When God saw their deeds, that they turned
Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented
from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the
long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless I say to
calamity which He had declared He would bring upon
you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the
them. And He did not do it" (Jon. 3:10, 14).
day of judgment, than for you. And you, Capernaum,
In another instance, after Solomon finished building
will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You shall descend
the temple, God promised, "If my people who are called
to Hades: for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom
by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek
which occurred in you, it would have remained to this
my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear
day. Nevertheless I say to you that it shall be more
from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their
tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment,
land" (2 Chr. 7:14).
than for you.'
God will heal any nation where Christians will
humble themselves, pray for spiritual revival, change
Sackcloth
their minds and turn from their wicked ways. Our
current crisis can be good news if it forces us back to
confidence in God.
The entire world is filled with hate and fear and war.
and Ashes
World leaders offer little hope for solutions. But for
Christians, this is our golden hour of opportunity.
Evangelism is important
discipleship is important
church growth is important
none of these will be
Numbers 15:37-40: "The Lord also spoke to Moses,
effective apart from a heart attitude of dependence upon
saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that
God expressed in a holy life.
they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of
As the U.S. goes, so goes the world. How we need to
their garments throughout their generations, and that
pray for our nation and at the same time make a
they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.
powerful impact upon the world. I beg you, as a
And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember
spokesman for God, to use your influence, you voice
all the commandments of the Lord, so as to do them and
and your pen to help call the Christians of America to
not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after
repentance and a fresh start in keeping with 2 Chronicles
which you played harlot, in order that you may
7:14.
remember to do all my commandments, and be holy to
your God.'
Throughout Old Testament times sackcloth and
The American Festival of Evangelism, an
ashes were used as a symbol of humility and repentance.
historic national congress on evangelization,
A garment of sackcloth was worn as a symbol of sincere
was conducted July 27-30. 1981 in Kansas
penitence to God for national or personal sin. When
City, Missouri.
Approximately 200 seminars and work-
covered with ashes, the rough and scratchy sackcloth
shops were conducted on evangelizing,
accentuated an individual's distress and humiliation for
discipling and equipping. They are now
sin.
available in manuscript format in four
Using that symbol, a sackcloth and ashes pin has
"Reproducible Notebooks.'
These manuscripts may be copied for
been developed. The pin, made of burlap covering a
class use unless additional permission is
small bag of ashes, is designed for Christians to wear as a
stipulated on the manuscript Publications
symbol of repentance.
should secure permission to reprint from
This pin is only for the Christian who is willing to
the author.
Festival Reproducible Notebooks are
make a personal commitment to unite with others in
for sale: American Festival of Evangelism.
specific prayer for the church, their nation and the world
P.O. Box 17093. Washington. D.C. 20041.
and to say, "I'm sorry for the sins of my nation and
the world, I'm sorry for the immorality in society, drug
campus
usade
Vonette Bright
April 7, 1983
Dear Morton,
I believe that Dee Jepsen, Special Assistant to
the President for Public Liaison to Women's Organi-
zations, is worthy of receiving the Churchwoman of
the Year Award from Religious Heritage of America.
If you agree, you may wish to nominate her for that
award. I have enclosed a form for you to fill in and
send to Religious Heritage of America to make your
nomination.
Thank you for your help in honoring Dee.
Sincerely,
Mr. Morton Blackwell
'191 Old Executive Office Building
Washington, DC 20500
Arrowbead Springs, San Bernardino, California 92414
RELIGIOUS HERITAGE OF AMERICA
ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM
OFFICIAL NOMINATION FORM
THIS FORM MUST BE TYPED. INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
SELECTION WILL BE BASED ON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS FORM; additional
material may be attached. Return form to RHA, 7900 Jerome Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63143
by April 15. All nomination forms received after April 15 are held for the following year. Religious
Heritage of America, a non-profit inter-faith organization based on the Judeo-Christian faith, is
a citizen movement to recall, define and perpetuate America's religious heritage as one nation
under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all
PLEASE CHECK ONE CATEGORY:
CLERGYMAN OF THE YEAR
OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR (25 years or more
CHURCHMAN OF THE YEAR
in the educational field)
X
CHURCHWOMAN OF THE YEAR
FAITH AND FREEDOM
GOLD MEDAL (50 years or more
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL
in the ministry)
YOUTH LEADER
NAME OF NOMINEE Dee Jepsen (Mrs. Roger)
Please Circle One:
MR.
MRS.
MISS
REV.
DR.
HOME ADDRESS
not to be given out
PHONE (
)
area code
CITY
STATE
ZIP
BUSINESS OR PROFESSION U.S. Government Executive
YEAR BEGUN: 1982
TITLE Special Assistant to the President for Public Liaison to Women's Organizations
BUSINESS NAME United States Government
BUSINESS ADDRESS 197 Old Executive Office Bldg. PHONE ( 202 ) 456-6585
area code
CITY Washington, D.C.
STATE
ZIP 20500
NOMINEE IS A MEMBER OF affiliates with Capitol Church while in Washington
Congregation, Church, Synagogue
NAME OF PASTOR, RABBI OR PRIEST
ADDRESS OF CHURCH OR SYNAGOGUE 7401 Leesburg Pike
CITY Falls Church
STATE VA
ZIP 22043
PHONE (703 ) 560-6677
area code
NOMINEE'S INVOLVEMENT IN CHURCH AND CHURCH RELATED ACTIVITIES (please circle, on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1
being slightly involved and 5 being very involved)
1
2
3
4
5
RESUME OF NOMINEE'S PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF RELIGION TO HIS DAILY LIFE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS:
WHY DO YOU FEEL THIS NOMINEE SHOULD RECEIVE AN AWARD FROM RHA?
Mrs. Jepsen bears Christian witness every day in her words
and her deeds. She is living proof that one need not fear to
confess faith in Jesus, even while speaking from the White House
Staff. Her charitable activities, her efforts on behalf of
persecuted dissidents and her outstanding success as wife and
mother all qualify her for this award.
NOMINATED BY Morton C. Blackwell
MortooC.
TITLE
Special Assistant to the President
BUSINESS OR PROFESSION White House Staff
BUSINESS NAME
BUSINESS ADDRESS
The White House
PHONE (202 ) 456-2657
area code
CITY Washington, D.C.
STATE
ZIP 20500
HOME ADDRESS
3128 North 17th St.
PHONE (703) 243-7660
area code
CITY
Arlington,
STATE Va.
ZIP 22201
Religious Heritage of America
7900 Jerome Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63143
(314) 781-7888
DEE ANN DELANEY JEPSEN
BORN: March 7, 1934
Davenport, Iowa
In September of 1982, President Reagan appointed Dee Jepsen to serve as Special Assistant to the
President for Public Liaison. In this capacity at the White House, Dee serves as the channel of
communication between the President and women's organizations nationwide.
In December of 1981, Dee was appointed by President Reagan to serve on the President's Task Force on
Private Sector Initiatives which has worked to encourage private efforts and voluntarism to assist the
needy at the local level.
From 1978 until September of 1982, Dee worked closely with her husband, U.S. Senator Roger Jepsen (R-
IA), as a full-time unsalaried assistant in his office on Capitol Hill. Senator Jepsen described the two of
them as "a team." During her tenure in the Senator's office, she wrote "The Heart of Washington," a
monthly column for lowa newspapers, giving lowans back home a "behind-the-scenes" look at life in
the Nation's Capital.
Currently Dee serves on the advisory board of the STEP Foundation, a private organization that is
working with suburban churches to encourage their activity in the inner cities of America. With her
husband and Congressman Jack Kemp (R-NY) and his wife Joanne, she founded CREED (Christian Rescue
Effort for the Emancipation of Dissidents). Before she accepted the White House position, Dee served
on the Board of Directors of this non-profit foundation which has been highly successful in bringing
about the release of dissidents behind the Iron Curtain by public and political pressure. She is also on
the board of the American Christian Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization involved in a
national Christian outreach ministry.
On behalf of the work of CREED, Mrs. Jepsen accepted the 1982 Freedom Award from Christian
Solidarity International for service to the oppressed and persecuted people of the world. With her
husband, Dee was the recipient of the 1982 Christian Statesmanship Award presented by the James
Robison Evangelistic Association.
After coming to Washington, Dee Jepsen became involved in a wide range of activities on Capitol Hill in
addition to her work with her husband. She became an active member of the Congressional Wives for
Soviet Jewry. She served as an officer in the Republican Congressional Wives' Club and in the Ladies of
the Senate, and also helped organize a weekly Bible study for Senate wives.
An articulate inspirational speaker, Dee Jepsen has been a frequent guest on local and national radio
and television programs, including the Christian Broadcasting Network, the PTL Broadcasting Network,
and various syndicated network talk shows. She was a featured speaker at the 1981 International
Convention of Federated Women's Clubs and at the 1980 and 1982 Washington for Jesus religious
rallies. Addressing many and varied audiences around the country, Mrs. Jepsen also speaks on
voluntarism and political issues with a special sensitivity to the role of women.
Dee Jepsen has been active in her husband's political career for over 20 years, from his election as a
county supervisor, to his election as a State Senator, to his post as lowa's Lieutenant Governor, and then
to his successful race in 1978 for the U.S. Senate.
Prior to the 1980 elections, Mrs. Jepsen traveled nationwide speaking on behalf of Ronald Reagan and
various Republican congressional candidates. She has also taught at various campaign seminars for
congressional candidates.
In 1966, Dee was elected as Co-Chairman of the Scott County Republican Party and was awarded the
"Outstanding Republican Woman" award in recognition of her exceptional, successful leadership.
In between raising six children and managing an active household, Dee co-founded "The Home Place",
a successful career clothing firm. She also performed with the WIC Players, a Christian women's theater
group. In addition to her many activities over the years, Dee took an active role as president of the local
Reserve Officers' Ladies Association while her husband served in the Army Reserve.
In her spare time, Dee enjoys painting and working with stained glass. She studied art for four years
through the Municipal Art Gallery in Davenport, lowa. Several of her oil paintings hang in the Senator's
office as well as in her White House office. One of her recent works is also featured on the Senator's
1982 Christmas card.
The former Dee Ann Delaney likes to recall that she was reared on a farm in Davenport, lowa, and
began her education in a one-room country school house before going on to the Immaculate
Conception Academy. She and her husband are the parents of six grown children and have three
grandchildren.
UNDER
GOD
RELIGIOUS HERITAGE OF AMERICA
ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM
1983
SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1951, RHA HAS PRESENTED AWARDS TO OUTSTANDING INDI-
VIDUALS, ORIGINALLY TO A CLERGYMAN AND A LAYMAN. OVER THE YEARS, MORE AWARDS
HAVE BEEN ADDED IN SEVERAL SPECIAL CATEGORIES. IN A TYPICAL YEAR, RHA MAKES
TWELVE TO FIFTEEN AWARDS IN THE ADULT PROGRAM AND TEN AWARDS IN THE YOUTH
PROGRAM.
INDIVIDUALS WHO DEMONSTRATE THROUGH THEIR DAILY LIVES, BOTH IN BUSINESS AND
PRIVATELY, THE HIGHEST EXAMPLE OF THE TENETS OF THEIR PERSONAL FAITH IN GOD,
SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
GOOD EXAMPLES SHOULD BE PUT FORTH FOR THE EMULATION OF THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE. FAITHFUL SERVICE AND OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT, WHILE MAINTAINING THE
HIGHEST ETHICAL AND MORAL STANDARDS, DESERVE RECOGNITION.
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR ALL RHA AWARDS
1. That the nominee demonstrates in his/her professional and private life the highest ideals of
America's religious heritage. That he/she be known as honest and ethical in all dealings. That
he/she present a good moral example to the community. That his/her integrity be above
question. And that he/she be considered a good example of the religious faith, which he or she
professes, to the community at large.
2. That he/she be active in the local fellowship of his/her faith (church or synagogue). No person
can be considered, no matter how exemplary, unless they are an active member of a wor-
shipping community. Participation on a denominational or judicatory level should be an asset
for the nominee.
3. A nominee must not limit his/her activity solely to his/her own faith group, since the cooperative
nature of the American society is integral to our religious heritage. Civic, fraternal and political
activities on a local, regional, and national level will weigh in the choice.
4. For consideration by RHA, the individual must have made a contribution the ugh his/her life
of national importance or of the magnitude that national attention should focused upon
the individual.
5. Awards are presented to citizens of the United States or those holding citizenship, but residing
in the United States.
C. AILRHA national awards are presented in person durin the Annual Convention, October 7-10.
1983 at the Washington Maniott, Washington, D.C. Liability to attend the ceremony may
preclude the final choice of (I nominee Selection of awardees will be made in May at the semi-
annual meeting of the Board of Religious Heritage of America.
7. VERY IMPORTANT - Nomination form must be typed. Incomplete forms will not be con-
sidered SELECTION WILL BE BASED ON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON NOMINATION
FORM. Additional materials may be attached. Please el free to copy the nomination form if
you need additional forms.
CATEGORIES
CLERGYMAN OF THE YEAR
This award is given annually to a distinguished clergyman. This is a recognition for an active
clergyman and his prominence should be contemporary with the award. He should by his
acceptance bring honor to the award. He should be in good standing with his local assembly
(church or synagogue) and his denomination. This does not preclude the selection of a non-
denominational minister.
CHURCHMAN, CHURCHWOMAN OF THE YE R
These awards are given annually to one layman and one la; woman active in their churches within
the U.S. that year. Their service should have been of national importance or international
importance. Success in their chosen field of endeavor will be considered as a part of the criteria in
judging candidates. He/she should be in good standing within the local assembly (church or
synagogue) of his/her denomination. The individuals chos I for these awards should bring honor
to-their award.
GOLD MEDAL
The Gold Medal Award is presented to a clergyman with filty or more years of active service (since
ordination or the applicable rite). The award is given to clergymen of national prominence, who
have made a lasting contribution in their field. The award recognizes superior achievement on
behalf of religious freedom, brotherhood and service to God and man.
FAITH AND FREEDOM
Faith and Freedom Awards are made in journalism, radio, television, literature and film production.
They are awarded for the creative service in communication ethics and the principles of America's
religious heritage. The role and the relevance of the contributor to the current scene must be of at
least regional importance as in the case of a major regional newspaper. Awards may be given for 1
specific product produced within the last twelve months or for the overall cumulative effect of the
product produced by the individual. Even though not nationally known the product would be of
national importance, thus that it would demand that type of attention. Not all categories are
awarded annually.
REVIVAL: A Definition
by Joy Dawson
Revival is the sovereign out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in
God's way and in God's time, first of all upon God's people,
where the revelation of God's holiness is greatly amplified,
and as a result, God's viewpoint of sin is revealed and
men and women have the opportunity of repenting of their sin
under those conditions or hardening their hearts against the
convicting power of the Holy Spirit.
Revival is God greatly stirring, shaking and changing His
people from apathy, selfishness and self-promotion to
desperate praying, humble, open and broken people with a
passion only for God Himself and His glory.
- - - - SUGGESTED READING ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
-
-
In the Day of Thy Power - Arthur Wallis
Duncan Campbell
(The story of the Hebrides Revival)
Thy God Reigneth - Edward Miller
(The story of the Argentine Revival)
When the Spirit Came - John Greenfield
(The story of the Moravian Revival of 1727) Bethany Fellowship,
Publishers
This Is That - by the Christian Literature Crusade--authored
anonymously by missionaires who were in the Congo Revival)
The Eager Feet - (1770-1830) - J. Edwin Orr
The Fervent Prayer (1858) - J. Edwin Orr
Evangelical Awakenings (1900) Worldwide - J. Edwin Orr
Revival Praying - Leonard Ravenhill
Why Revival Tarries - Leonard Ravenhill
What Really Happened at Azuza Street - Frank Bartleman
(The story of the revival in Los Angeles in 1906)
EVELYN CHRISTENSON MINISTRIES
4265 Brigadoon Drive
St. Paul, Minnesota 55112
LIST OF SCRIPTURAL SINS TO BE READ BEFORE CONFESSING SINS IN PRAYER
Every YES answer is a sin in your life that needs to be confessed. "Therefore, he that knoweth to do good and
doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17
1. I Thess. 5:18
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Do you worry about anything? Have you failed to thank God for All things, the
seemingly bad as well as the good? Do you neglect to give thanks at mealtime?
2. Ephesians 3:20
"Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or
think, according to the power THAT WORKETH IN US."
Do you fail to attempt things for God because you are not talented enough? Do
feelings of inferiority keep you from trying to serve God? When you do accomplish
something for Christ, do you fail to give Him all the glory?
3. Acts 1:8
"But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall
be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto
the uttermost part of the earth."
Have you failed to be a witness with your life for Christ? Have you felt it was enough
to just live your Christianity and not witness with your mouth to the lost?
4. Romans 12:3
"For I say
to every man that is among you, NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF
MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO THINK."
Are you proud of YOUR accomplishments, YOUR talents, YOUR family? Do you
fail to see others as better than yourself, more important than yourself in the body
of Christ? Do you insist on your own rights? Do you think as a Christian you are
doing quite well? Do you rebel at God wanting to change you?
5. Ephesians 4:31
"Let all bitterness, and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away
from you, with all malice."
Do you complain, find fault, argue? Do you have a critical spirit? Do you carry a
grudge against Christians of another group because they don't see eye-to-eye with
you on all things? Do you speak unkindly about people when they are not present?
Are you angry with yourself? Others? God?
6. I Cor. 6:19
"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom ye have of God, and ye are not your own."
Are you careless with your body? Are you guilty of not caring for it as the temple
of the Holy Spirit in eating and exercise habits? Do you defile your body with unholy
sex acts?
7. Ephesians 4:29
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth."
Do you ever use filthy language, tell slightly off-color jokes? Do you condone others
doing so in your presence, in your home?
8. Ephesians 4:27
"Neither give place to the devil."
Do you fail to see you are a "Landing Strip" for Satan when you open your mind
to him through T.M., yoga, seances, psychic predictions, occult literature and movies?
Do you get advice for daily living from horoscopes rather than from God? Do you let
Satan use you to thwart the cause of Christ in your church through criticism, gossip,
non-support?
9. Romans 12:11
"Not slothful in business."
Do you fail to pay your debts on time? Avoid paying them altogether? Do you
charge more on credit cards than you can pay when due? Do you neglect to keep
honest income tax records? Do you engage in any shady business deals whether as
an employer or employee?
10. I Cor. 8:9
"But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block
to them that are weak."
Do you feel you can do anything you want to do because the Bible says you are
free in Christ? Even though you were strong enough not to fall, do you fail to take
responsibility for a weaker Christian who has fallen because of following your
example?
11. Hebrews 10:25
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together."
Are you irregular or spasmodic in church attendance? Do you attend preaching
services in body only, whispering, reading or planning while God's Word is being
preached? Are you skipping prayer meeting? Have you neglected family devotions?
12. Colossians 3:9
"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds."
Do you ever lie? Exaggerate? Do you fail to see "little white lies" as sin? Do you
tell things the way you want them rather than the way they really are?
13. I Peter 2:11
"Dearly beloved
abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul."
Are you guilty of lustful eye toward the opposite sex? Do you fill your mind with
sex orientated TV programs, movies, books, magazines? Their covers? Centerfolds?
Do you indulge in any lustful activity God's word condemns - Fornications, adultery,
perversion?
14. John 13:35
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love ONE TO AN-
OTHER."
Are you guilty of being a part of factions and divisions in your church? Would you
rather add fuel to a misunderstanding than help correct it? Have you loved only the
ones in your own church, feeling those of other denominations are not of the body
of Christ? Are you secretly pleased over the misfortunes of another? Annoyed by
their successes?
15. Colossians 3:13
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against
any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
Have you failed to forgive anybody anything they might have said or done against
you? Have you turned certain people off? Are you holding grudges?
16. Ephesians 4:28
"Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labor."
Do you steal from your employer by doing less work, staying on the job less time
than you are paid for? Do you under-pay?
17. Ephesians 5:16
"Redeeming the time, for the days are evil."
Do you waste time? The time of others? Do you spend time watching TV trash,
reading cheap books, procrastinating?
18. Matthew 6:24
"No man can serve two masters
YE CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MONEY."
Is your goal in life to make as much money as possible? Accumulate things? Have
you withheld God's Share of your income from Him? Is money your God?
19. Matthew 23:28
"Even so ye outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy
and iniquity."
Do you know in your heart you are a fake, just pretending to be a real Christian?
Are you hiding behind church membership to cover a life still full of sin? Are you
faking Christianity for social status, acceptance in your church, community? Do you
smile piously during the Sunday sermon but live in your sin all week? Are you the
person in your home you are trying to impress people you are?
20. Philipians 4:8
"Finally Brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever
things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things
are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON
THESE THINGS."
Do you enjoy listening to gossip? Passing it on? Do you believe rumors or partial
truths, especially about an enemy or your competitor? Do you fail to spend time
every day reading the Bible? Do you fail to think on the things of God-only good
and true and pure things-always?
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A CITY PRAYER COORDINATOR
Function: To provide leadership that will unite the Body of Christ into
the function of prayer, thus leading the community to experience
spiritual awakening.
Responsibilities:
1. To give leadership to the development of prayer through research, strategy
planning, and most importantly personal application.
2. To coordinate and/or conduct training seminars for pastors and laymen
that will:
(a) Communicate and expand the vision for the supernatural power of
prayer.
(b) Communicate and teach the function of prayer.
(c) Communicate and teach strategies that will sustain the function of
prayer.
3. To organize, direct, and train additional leadership that will motivate
Christians and Churches to implement various prayer functions and strategies
that will lead to on-going movements of sustained prayer.
Qualifications:
1. An individual who is controlled continuously, conscientiously, and
conspicuously by the Holy Spirit.
2. An individual who is committed to prayer by personal example.
3. An individual who has, and is driven by, a consuming vision for spiritual
awakening to impact his church, community, nation and world.
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A DENOMINATIONAL PRAYER COORDINATOR
Function: To provide leadership that will unite the denomination into the
function of prayer thus leading the denomination to experience
revival.
Responsibilities:
1. To give leadership to the development of prayer through research,
writing, strategy planning, and most importantly by personal example.
2. To coordinate and/or conduct training seminars for pastors and laymen
that will:
(a) Communicate and expand the vision for the supernatural power of
prayer.
(b) Communicate and teach the function or prayer
(c) Communicate and teach strategies that will sustain the function
of prayer.
3. To organize, direct, and train additional leadership that will motivate
individual Christians and churches to implement various prayer functions
and strategies that will lead to on-going movements of sustained prayer.
Qualifications:
1. An individual who is controlled continuously, conscientiously, and
conspicuously by the Holy Spirit.
2. An individual who is commited to the function of prayer by personal example.
3. An individual who has, and is driven by a consuming vision for spiritual
awakening to impact his community, nation, and world.
4. An individual who has the gift of leadership and teaching.
Please amplify this job description, if need be, to fit your denominational
needs.
Report to: Person assigned by the director of the Denomination
Work closely with: Church Prayer Coordinator
QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED
HOW CAN YOU GET A CHRISTIAN REALLY EXCITED ABOUT PRAYER?
1. Model by personal example: Several passages in the Bible admonish us
to be examples, just as Jesus was; John 13:15, I Peter 2:21, I Peter 5:3.
A visible dependence on the Lord and a vital prayer life can be one of your
best tools for encouraging others in their prayer life. The first step
is to evaluate your own prayer life. Is it a vital part of your life?
Do others see how vital this is in your life?
2. People may not be excited about prayer because they do not know how to
pray:
(a) Teach them prayer principles
(b) Allow them to see your prayer life
(c) Encourage them to pray for specific needs.
(d) Pray with them about specific needs, so they will see
specific answers.
(e) Share enthusiastically with them about prayer requests
and answers.
HOW CAN YOU MOTIVATE IN A CHURCH SETTING?
1. Become involved with the Pastor and the staff. Help them to develop
a vision and desire for prayer.
2. Develop a church prayer chain, designate a prayer coordinator or hostess,
apply creative ideas in organizing prayer groups at different times during
the day, i.e., breakfast time, 10:00 a.m., afternoon or evening prayer
groups.
3. Pray for specific members of the church by name.
4. Begin praying with those who have indicated an interest, (it may be just
two or three). As you continue to meet and see God answer your prayers,
others will become interested and the size of your group will increase.
5. Teach a Prayer Workshop.
6. For other suggestions please refer to page 73 of the manuel, Learn How
You Can Help Change the World Through Prayer.
HOW CAN ONE PERSON BE EFFECTIVE IN STARTING AND INFLUENCING A PRAYER MOVEMENT?
1. Seek out and call together key men and women who you think might have
a like burden. Possible sources for key contacts:
(a) Christian Womens' Clubs
(e) United Church Women
(b) Bible Study Fellowship
(f) Christian Business Men's Club
(c) Youth for Christ
(g) Christian Business and Professional
(d) Young Life
Women
(h) Christian schools
HOW CAN YOU BEGIN A PRAYER MOVEMENT IN A CHURCH OUTSIDE OF YOUR OWN MEMBERSHIP?
1. How to contact the pastor:
(a) Contact the pastor by letter.
(b) Follow letter with a telephone conversation with the pastor or
a visit by appointment.
(c) Introduce yourself and ask if, before you share, you might pray
together for God's direction as you meet.
(d) Refer to the letter he received a few days before. Ask if he has had
an oppportunity to look it over. Reiterate the content of the letter,
emphasizing that your desire is to inform, mobilize and unite people of
our nation and the world to pray, as mentioned in the letter. Let
him know you are interested in being available in any way to serve
him and his congregation to help enhance and accelerate his present
prayer program.
-2-
(e) Show him a copy of your prayer materials and strategy.
(f) Emphasize that you do not want to take anyone away from present church
responsibilities, but that you feel that this ministry of united prayer
can be of service to the church through increased emphasis on prayer
and attracting possible new members.
(g) Ask him for names of groups in his church with whom you might share
this strategy. Ask whom you should call to make arrangements. Seek
to meet and inform the key man and key woman in the church.
(h) Ask the pastor for names of individuals you should invite to an in-
formative coffee.
(i) Thank him for his time whatever his response.
HOW CAN I MAINTAIN A VITAL PRAYER LIFE WITH A BUSY SCHEDULE?
1. Keep a prayer diary. Divide the request into categories, i.e., sick,
family, nation, church, etc.
2. Designate requests for different days of the week.
3. Plan a time each day to be alone with God and give prayer a priority
in your daily schedule.
4. Make use of the time to pray and do not feel guilty if you have not had all
of the time you had hoped.
5. COMMIT YOUR DAY TO THE LORD IN THE BEGINNING AND WALK WITH HIM THROUGH-
OUT THE DAY!
ampus
THE WHITE HOUSE
Cruzade
WASHINGTON
August 25, 1982
Mr. Ralph Drollinger, Executive Producer
Athletes in Action Sports Magazine
Campus Crusade for Christ, International
Arrowhead Springs
San Bernardino, California 92414
Dear Mr. Drollinger:
This is in response to your letter to the President of
August 9 concerning the television program Athletes in
Action Sports Magazine.
I spoke with Colonel David C. Cole regarding your request to
include an offer to send a free copy of your magazine to
viewers of your television program which he has decided to
broadcast over the Armed Services Network.
Col. Cole said that he was impressed with your program and
is happy to run it. The only question relates to the offer
for people to write you for free copies of the magazine.
While there is no hard and fast rule on this subject, the
general practice has been to delete such messages from Armed
Services Network telecasts.
Col. Cole said that he had consulted his Chaplains Board
about your program. They responded that they did not consider
it to be religious material falling under their jurisdiction.
He also said that in conversation with you he had asked for
sample copies of your magazine but had yet to receive them.
Col. Cole suggested that you should send magazine samples to
him. He will then pass them by the Chaplains Board for their
comment and make a determination regarding the inclusion of
the free offer on the broadcast.
He said he would keep me informed with respect to your
request. I am hopeful that this matter can be properly
resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Cordially,
Moston C. Bledwell
Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to the President
for Public Liaison
CC: Dr. William Bright
Col. Dayid C. Cole
you
Soul
CAMPUS
CRUSADE
FOR
CHRIST
INTERNATIONAL
Arrowhead Springs, San Bernardino, California 92414, U.S.A. Telephone (714) 886-5224 William R. Bright, President
December 18, 1981
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As chairman of the Congress on the Bible to be held in San Diego next year,
and as a fellow American, I would like to request that you declare 1982 the
Year of the Bible in our nation. In making this request, I am confident that
I speak for millions of others in every state.
As you know, the Bible can legitimately be considered the cornerstone on which
the United States was built. Those who settled the country drew inspiration,
encouragement, and direction from the Bible. From it later came the most basic
concepts and principles of the republic established by the Founding Fathers,
especially the concept of man's individual worth and dignity, rooted in his
unique value in the sight of God.
Throughout our history, many of our greatest Presidents and other national
leaders have acknowledged in the strongest terms the incalculable importance
of the Holy Scriptures, both to them personally and to the country. George
Washington himself set the tone for many others, of course, when he asked
that a Bible be brought on which to place his hand as he took the oath of
office as the nation's first President, then leaned over and klased It fol-
lowing the oath.
Andrew Jackson called it "the rock on which our republic rests." Abraham
Lincoln termed it "the best gift God has given to man." Woodrow Wilson once
told an audience that "part of the destiny of America lies in (your) daily
perusal of this great book." Editor Horace Greeley once noted, "It is impos-
sible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people. The principles
of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom." Scripture passages are
carved in the stone of the Capitol Rotunda and behind the bench where the
Supreme Court justices sit. We inscribe "In God We Trust" on our coinage,
open each session of Congress with prayer, and acknowledge in the Pledge of
Allegiance that we are a nation "under God."
The testimonies to the crucial importance of the Bible to Americans as indi-
viduals and as a nation go on and on, and come from every area of American
life. For me and for tens of millions of other Americans, of course, the
Scriptures are God's holy Word, the place above all others in which He speaks
to His children about themselves and the world in which they live.
The President
Page Two
December 18, 1981
Even for the multitudes of nonbelievers, however, the Bible has for centuries
been the incomparable source of wisdom and even inspiration in areas such as
human relationships and morality. H. G. Wells calls it "the cement with which
our Western communities were built and by which they were held together." Still
more surprising was the comment of the eighteenth century French philosopher
Jean Jacques Rousseau.
"I must confess
that the majesty of the Scriptures
astonishes me," he said, " If it had been the invention of men, the inventor
would be greater than the greatest heroes.'
Mr. President, we both know that the United States faces perhaps the most diffi-
cult and dangerous period of testing in its history. As a people, we are not,
I feel, adequately prepared for that testing, and the remaining time may be
fearfully short. In my judgment, it is urgent that at this critical moment we
seek the priceless, proven resources of wisdom and direction contained in the
Scripture. A statement from you, as the respected and beloved leader of the
nation, expressing your confidence in God and His Word, would give great
strength, encouragement, and credibility to the effort being made to help call
America back to God.
I am deeply grateful that you and Mrs. Reagan not only declare your faith in
God and his Son, but that you also, by your life-styles, demonstrate your com-
mitment to following His Word. My wife and I pray for you and your family
each day, as well as for other leaders of the nation. We offer these prayers
because we want to and because of the Scriptural command to pray for those who
hold positions of authority.
May this glad holiday season, when we celebrate the birth of our wonderful
Savior, be filled with rich, rewarding and unprecedented blessings for you
and for those near and dear to you.
Yours for fulfilling the Great
BuedBright Commission in this generation,
WRB:bwa
A PROCLAMATION
Of the many formative influences that have combined over the centuries to
shape the United States of America into a distinctive nation and people, the
role of the Bible has been and remains preeminent.
Deep religious convictions springing from the Holy Scriptures inspired
much of the most admirable early settlement of what was to become our country.
Those same Scriptures encouraged, sustained, and instructed our pioneer fore-
fathers in the face of hardships and dangers that otherwise might well have
proven overwhelming.
Biblical teachings also provided the basis for such landmark steps in the
development of American civil government as the Mayflower Compact, while rever-
ence for the Scriptures and their precepts helped forge a sense of common
purpose among the widely separated colonies: a sense of community that laid
the foundation for the spirit of nationhood that was to develop in later decades.
Of the utmost significance is the fact that it was the Bible that provided
the ultimate basis for insistence by the nation's Founding Fathers on the
inalienable rights of the individual: rights grounded in the Bible's corner-
stone emphasis on the value of each person in the eyes of God Himself. It was
this sense of man--as a flawed but uniquely precious child of an Almighty Father--
that shaped the convictions of those who framed the English system of law in-
herited by our own nation, as well as the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution.
A PROCLAMATION
Page Two
Similarly, the Scriptures' strong teachings on love for neighbor and
special concern for those with special needs have for centuries inspired innumer-
able private, institutional, and governmental expressions of compassionate
outreach ranging from private charity and the establishment of schools and
hospitals, to such broader steps as the abolition of slavery. In case after
case, the roots of these actions lie unmistakably in the Bible.
Through the years, many of our greatest national leaders--among them,
Presidents Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, and Wilson--have paid tribute to the
surpassing influence of the Bible on our country's development, and its vital
importance to the survival of that which is best in our form of government and
our common life as a people. None expressed these sentiments more clearly
than the plain-spoken Andrew Jackson, who is quoted as referring to the Bible
as no less than "the rock on which our republic rests." Famed editor Horace
Greeley saw in the Scriptures protection for American liberty itself, stating,
"It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people. The
principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom."
The history of our own nation and of other nations clearly illustrates the
value of applying the teachings of the Scriptures in the lives of individuals,
families, and societies as a whole, and the consequences of ignoring or defying
the truths contained in those teachings. It is significant also that the Bible's
teachings compel the respect not only of those who revere them as God's holy
writ but also of those who judge them solely on the basis of their record in the
accumulated experience of mankind.
A PROCLAMATION
Page Three
'Our beloved nation, and indeed the world as a whole, is facing a decade
of the greatest challenge. As a people, we may well be tested as we have seldom
if ever been tested before. We will need resources of spirit even more than
resources of technology, education, and armaments. There could be no more fitting
moment than the present to turn again with gratitude, humility, and urgency, to
the eternal wisdom revealed to us by our Almighty Father in the writing that
Abraham Lincoln called "the best gift God has ever given to man."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America,
do hereby proclaim 1982 the Year of the Bible in the United States. I call
upon all citizens, each in his or her own way, to search this Book of Books for
the wisdom and direction that have been a blessing to mankind for centuries and
have played so significant a role in the origins and development of our own
nation and form of government.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
day of
, in the year of our Lord ninteen hundred
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 23, 1983
Mrs. Vonette Bright
Arrowhead Springs
San Bernardino, California 92414
Dear Vonette:
Thank you for the lovely photo that you
sent to me.
I wanted to let you know that we are
requesting an early confirmation on
the date for the 1984 National Day of
Prayer. I have recently been in contact
with Herb Ellingwood on this matter.
It was nice to see you when you were
in town for the Pittinger dinner.
Please drop by again the next time
you are in Washington.
My best to you and Bill.
Sincerely,
)
Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to the President
June 3c, 1983
Uonette Bright
Dear Marton,
Thank you for all of
Day of Prayer sucha success.
your help in making The national
your suggestions and the
Couperation of your affice
has been invaluable .2
am lager to talk with you
about plans for next year
national trager Cammettee last
2 met with Thembers as the
luck and will mut with
Herle Ellingwood Spenser Brand
and allen marris, a Flarida
Ensiness I ran whi will Canir
a note. Business Drive's Committee
for The national Day of Prayer.
We should have pupersals for
you in a Lew weeks.
hasing Arrowbead these San snapshate. Bernardino,
Thought you would injoy
Springs, California 92414
Sincerely Vontte
Church Bells to Herald U.S. Day of Prayer
Prayer Breakfast set for Thursday
Pasadena Mayor Loretta Glickman and Commit-
in her teeth. Not long ago, she founded a non-prof-
lee Chairman Paul Lippold have announced that
it organization called Joni and Friends Inc., de-
By JOHN DART. Times Religion Writer
the 11th Annual Mayor's Leadership Prayer
signed to help churches and other groups work
Church bells will sound at noon in many communities
prayer observances is evident also in an event planned
Breakfast will be held on Thursday, at
Boxa-
with the disabled. Joni actively directs the work
Thursday to herald the National Day of Prayer, an
for Thursday night in Washington, D.C. The Rev. Lloyd
dena Hilton Hotel. That day has been p'
from her office in Woodland.Hills. She is also 8
annual observance since 1952, when Congress asked the
Ogilvic, senior pastor of Hollywood First Preshyterian
President to proclaim one day a year for prayer.
by President Reagan as the Nation
driver and enjoys zipping around the Cali-
Church, will hc the main speaker and actor Dcan Jones,
President Reagan selected May 5 as the date early in
an active lay Christian, will be the master of ceremonics.
Prayer.
in her specially equipped van.
February.
The featured sneaker at the hreak
"take
this year's breakfast is
the 1983 Tourna-
"Take five at twelve," a slogan urging five minutes of
prayer at noon, comes from private national commit-
Take time to
Thornton
The United Methodist Church's high
tee promoting religious observances.
ruled in favor of Los Angeles Bishop JA
The committee's co-chairmen are Vonette Bright.
the case of a self-avowed homos-
also identified as chairman of a separate National Prayer
request to serve a Minne:
Committee. and Herbert E. Ellingwood, an
mental
pray: Reagan
religious confidant to Reagan when be was
California. Ellingwood is chairman of the
Systems Protection Board.
N.Y.
WASHINGTON (AP)
committee
is
WASHINGTON igan. prayer al Prayer... spend noon to by Presidnal "take five on falths (NC) May s five are
Church bells in many
dinating local plans.
Bright voiced hope that "all American
by
ommunities
are
to
The co-chairwoman,
least five minutes to thank God for our
.-imed
his.
other blessings and pray for his continued
nation."
Reagan proclaims national day of prayer
Bill Bright, founder-presu
based Campus Crusade for
nat committee promotin
onald Reagan, President of the United
ereby proclaim Thursday, May 5, 1983,
Thany (AP) DOOR, Call in dela /
Proclaimed That proclamatio
the Presider
I call upon every citizen of this great
"naration
May 5, the National Day of Prayer for
on that day in homes and places of wor-
whic
1983, is now history. Hundreds of newspaper
his or her own manner, for unity of the
as
clippings and many other reports that have
rst Proclaimed by
Reagan designates
is
and
reached us since May 5 indicate that from
tinental Congress, 1775
= Faiths in America
contin
national prayer day
New York City to San Diego and from Juneau
Declaration of Independence formed the
National Day of Prayer will be
Presid
to Miami, church bells rang at noon; citi-
of dependence upon God began to forge
observed Thursday, according to
Nation
a proclaimation signed by Presi-
Pres
zens gathered in prayer; mayoral and guber-
rayer tradition were formed at the same
dent Ronald Reagan.
natorial proclamations were issued; and a
en - Sam Adams, John Hancock, Job
Thursd
Prayer
shington.
Locally, Atonement Lutheran Cong
variety of other activities marked this
FIRST DECISION of the First
Church in Oakwood is planning a struct
rst day, September 5, 1774. The
a to
program at 8 p.m. Thursday to for suc
special observance.
iness with prayer?". was
pray for the country, churches This
ersity, and then passed. A
and families.
mainly
emselves was created at
and non
Day
In conjunction with the Na- for a va
Perhaps the most-anticipated single
tional Day of Prayer, the Na- Cod
event was "A Celebration for the National
ANKSGIVING P
enal Planning Committee of local le
Revolution F
e National Under God Inc. is terparts
Day of Prayer, II held at Constitution Hall
first Thursday
nsoring a National Week of tional The D
cept for gre?'
er, which began yesterday.
in the nation's capital that evening.
ed out. Th
be
have
2,500 people attended the "Celebration"
will
The National
Bells to sum
ut we
by
one
has been a trad
after a full day of activity which included
we ha
May
when Congress is
nation to pra
and
Chief E,
a Leadership Breakfast for 400 people. and
ade us.'
for
some
onlyngr
siy
'Take
day
ea
at noon Thu
an assembly on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
REQUESTE
each year, ano
5
By The Associated
ned.
Chur
praying together, re.
THE
the
has
Chi,
mericans ASHINGTON urged 12,
are
times over the years, has
the
pray
an bei
ly exclusive a tolerance ano
of the
ntry from the religious conflicts
Day
OF
cy
staten
Presider
A persistent American notion
ll-being are somehow intertwined
me
(NC)
at 12." It
from God.
are
12"
being
aying at not
,ion
is
the
3
prayer
111
since
Congre
S of all faiths
of
"
president
to
the
year
for
it,
H1.
by
early
pres
committee is co
oin in May 5
bi
lans.
the
the
co-chairman,
at.
voiced
hope
"all
celebration
Li
take at least five
nk God for our fre
ner blessings. and Dr
to recognize the sublime truth, announeed
Nationwide pray
m the Holy Scriptures and proven by:all
history, that those nations only are
just
blessed whose God is the Lord."
is urged for May
rtici-
In his proclamation, Reagan sald:
May
"Prayer is the mainspring of the Ameri-
; WASHINGTON. Americans of all fa
can spirit, a fundamental tenet of our
been asked to take five minutes at
people since before the Republic was
one
Thursday, May 5, to pray for the natio
founded. Prayer unites people. This com-
"May 5 has been set aside as our coun
Dr. Bill Bright, Dr. Richard Halverson,
mon expression of reverence heals and
ings us together as a nation, and WC
consécutive National Day of Prayer,"
chaplain of the U.S. Senate, and Dr.
one day bring renewed re-
Mrs. Bill Bright, co-chairman with H
Ellingwood of the National Day of Prayer
Lloyd Ogilvie, pastor of Hollywood Pres-
tee.
dents.
Prayer peoples of the
om the
May 5 Desi
byterian Church, before the evening
mittee.
with the
America W
celebration.
sever, ar-
that all Am
thank God
Nat'l Day 0
President calls nation to pray
Americans of all faiths are
"
wells at noon May 5 and for
THE THE THE committee Amer. five Bill is e on he resident." day uals May private is inde-
Associated Press
cans will take at least five minut
to spend five minutes in
WASHINGTON Church bells in
utes. thanking God for the
thank God for our freedom and
prayer at noon on Thursday,
many communities will sound a na-
blessings and pray for his conti
May 5, designated as the 31st
THE THE The Several
Churches plan Churches plan Churches plan churches
national that
being asked to "take five at 12"
Americans to spend five mir
freedom and other blessin
and praying for his continv
ing Day upon our nation. contin blessings, bless ve ogether, minutes from and of
tional call to prayer at noon
blessing upon our nation."
National Day of Prayer by
blessing on the United Stat
of
Prayer
/
uggesting that a
Thursday. The slogan for the 31st
In setting the date, Reagan
President Reagan.
and
7:30
level prayer
annual National Day of Prayer pro-
The
project
is
according to the event orga
was
be
"Prayer
unites
people.
This
com
being
organ-
ers.
claimed by President Reagan is "Take
brings us together as a nation, an Mrs. Bill Bright and Herbert E.
expression of reverence heals "rayer zed by Committee, the National chaired Day by of
A spokesman for the
five at 12," meaning five minutes of
Catholic Conference said
Congress
pray it may one day bring Ellingwood, chairman of the
event is coordinated a
respect for God to all the peoplij.S. Merit Systems Protection
local level and that it wo
by THE THE THE was presidents been
Pray.
nues. 8 and Redgate from is sanctuary at the ave. cor. will to
operating offi-
the president
vestments and
praying at noontime.
The co-cheirwoman, Mrs. Bill
Bright, voiced hope that "all Ameri-
the world."
Board.
up to Catholic churches Churrhortoik.
evan
dev
The Mayflower
Clockwise, beginning with upper left:
(1) Dr. Halverson, speaking at the
Leadership Breakfast. (2) Bill and
Vonette Bright with Senator Bill Armstrong (left) and Morton Blackwell, Special
Assistant to the President for Public Liaison, at a reception before the
"Celebration of Prayer." (3) Mrs. Bright and Herb Ellingwood, co-chairmen
of the Day of Prayer activities, consult the program for the evening. (4) The
Colors are presented at Constitution Hall (left to right on the platform are
Herb Ellingwood; Vice President George Bush; emcee Dean Jones; and soloist
John Giger.
Office of the Mayor
City of Pittsburgh
D
CITY OF
NEW YORK
By virtue of the authority vessed in me as Mayor of the City of Pistsburgh, I
do hereby proclaim Thursday, May 5. 1983 as A DAY OF PRAYER in the
City of Pittsburgh in conjuaction wish the 31st Assual National Day of
Prayer declared by Congress and to encourage people of all faiths to pause
sometime during this day to offer a prayer for peace throughout the world
and to rejuvenate the spirk of goodwill and brotherhood in the hearts of all
mankind.
roclamation
IN WITNESS whereof I have bereunto are my hand and caused the Seal of
the City of Pistsburgh to be affixed.
April 26, 1983
IN 1952 THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES INITIATED AN ANNUAL DAY OF PRAYER
WHICH HAS BEEN OBSERVED FOR THE PAST 31 YEARS, ON THE FIFTH OF MAY.
PRAYER SERVES AS A UNIFYING FORCE FOR OUR CITIZENS WHO REPRESENT ALL THE
GREAT RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD. THIS COMMON EXPRESSION OF REVERENCE ENRICHES
THE SPIRIT AND UNITES THE HEARTS OF ALL MANKIND.
NOW, THEREFORE, 1. EDWARD I. KOCH, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, DO HEREBY
PROCLAIM MAY 5, 1983, AS
"DAY OF PRAYER"
IN NEW YORK CITY.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I HAVE HEREUNTO
SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF
THE CITY OF NEW YORK TO BE AFFIXED.
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
The District of Columbia
Edward 160
PROCLAMATION
LA
NATOR, THE on of not YOU
STATE
NATIONAL DAY (IF PRAYER
MAY 5, 19183
National Day of Prayer, 1983
BY THE MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
By the Products of the United States of America
A Proclumation
WHEREAS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS
Prayer is the madeuspring of the American apirit, a Pendamental tenet of our people
DESIGNATED THURSDAY, MAY 5. 1983, AS NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER"
since before the Republic was founded. A - before the Declaration of
CALLING UPON EVERY CITIZEN TO GATHER TOGETHER ON THIS DAY IN
Independence, in 1773, the Continental Congress procisimed the first National Day
HOMES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP TO PRAY, EACH AFTER H10 OR HER OWN
of Prayer as the - positive action they mixed of every colonist.
MANNER, FOR UNITY OF THE HEARTS OF ILL MARKIND; AND
Two Inmelred years ago in 1783, the Treaty of Park officially ended the long. easy
Revelutionary Was during which a National Day of Proyer had been proclaimed every
WHEREAS, GOALS OF THIS DAY ARE TO RAISE THE PUBLIC'S AWARENESS OF
spring for eight years. When pance case the National Day of Prayer - forgotise.
THE FACT THAT THERE WILL BE A "NATIONAL Day OF PRAYER" FOR
For alsost half a mary, as the Nation grew in power and wealth, we put acide
EVERYOHE TO DO HIS REST TO SEE THAT THE GREAT POTENTIAL VALUE OF
this deepen expression of American belief - our national dependence on the
Providence of God.
THE OBSERVANCE is REALIZED: AND
in took the tragedy of the Civil War to restore a National Day of Prayer. As Abraham
Lincoln said, "Imoxicated with unbroken - - have become 100 self-eufficient
WHEREAS, ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A SIGNIFICANT PRAYER-RELATED
- feel the necessity of reducting and preserving grace, 100 proud to pray to the God
EVENT AT CONSTITUTION HALL AND AT MOON, CHURCH BELLR WILL RING TO
that made me."
ALERT OUR CITIZENS TO TAKE FIVE MINUTES TO PRAY:
Revived as - - observance by Congress in 1952. the National Day of Prayer
has become a great unifying form for our citizens who come from all the past religions
NOW, THEREFORE, 1. THE MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMPIA. DO
of the world. Prayer unites people. This common expression of reverence heals and
HEREBY PROCLAIM THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1983, A6 "DAY OF PRAYER" IN
brings us together as a Nation and we pray a may one day bring reaswed respect
WASHINGTON, D.C., AND CALL UPON ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS TO JOIN WITH
for God to all the peoples of the world.
ME IN SUPPORTING THE AIMS, GOALS AND PROGRAMS OF THIS DAY IN
Prom General Washington's a at Valley Forge to the present, this Nation has
ASKING GOD's BLESSING AND HEALING UPON OUR RELOVED COUNTRY.
Survently sought and received divine guidance - it pursued the course of history.
This occasion provides our Nation with an apportunity 60 forther recognize the source
of - and to - His help for the challenges we face today and in the
future.
NOW, THEREPORE, 3. RONALD REAGAN. Produces of the United States of
America, do hereby procleim Thursday, May 5. 1903, National Day of Prayer. call
upon every citizen of this greet Nation to gather together on that day is homes and
places of worship to pray, each after his or ber own manner, for unity of the hearts
of all menkind.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF. have berwento not my hand this 27th day of January,
in the year of our Lord nincteen Insured and eighty-three, and of the Independence
of the United States of American the TWO hundred and seventh.
BIRTHE
Ronald Reagon
MARION BARRY
MAYOR
City of Alabama Birmingham
City
of
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Three thousand years ago God Jehovah directed Ezra to
PROCLAMATION
write, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall
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;"
DAY OF PRAYER
and,
WHEREAS, The Holy Scripture says, "Pray without ceasing The
Effective fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
WHEREAS. PRAYER IS THE MAINSPRING OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT, A FUNDA.
much;" and,
MENTAL TENET OF OUR PEOPLE SINCE BEFORE THE REPUBLIC WAS FOUNDED
A YEAR BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. IN 1775, THE CON.
TINENTAL CONGRESS PROCLAIMED THE FIRST NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
WHEREAS, In 1774, the Continental Congress proclaimed the first
AS THE INITIAL POSITIVE ACTION THEY ASKED OF EVERY COLONIST. AND
National day of prayer as the initial positive action
they asked of every colonist; and,
WHEREAS TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO IN 1783. THE TREATY OF PARIS OF.
FICIALLY ENDED THE LONG, WEARY RE VOLUTIONARY WAR DURING WHICH
WHEREAS, It took the tragedy of the Civil Wat to restore a
A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER HAD BEEN PROCLAIMED EVERY SPRING FOR
National Day of Prayer, when Abraham Lincoln, on bended
EIGHT YEARS. WHEN PEACE CAME THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER WAS FOR.
knees, prayed, "Oh, Thou God that heard Solomon in the
GOTTEN. AND
night when he prayed and cried for wisdom, hear me
I cannot guide the affairs of this nation without Thy
WHEREAS IT TOOK THE TRAGEDY OF THE CIVIL WAR TO RESTORE A NA.
help. Hear me and save this nation;" and,
TIONAL DAY OF PRAYER REVIVED AS AN ANNUAL OBSERVANCE BY CON.
GRESS IN 1952. THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER HAS BECOME A GREAT UNIFY.
WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin proposed that each session of the
ING FORCE FOR OUR CITIZENS WHO COME FROM ALL THE GREAT RELIGIONS
Congress assembled to write the Constitution be opened
OF THE WORLD. AND
with prayer; and,
WHEREAS PRAYER UNITES PEOPLE THIS COMMON EXPRESSION OF REVER-
ENCE HEALS AND BRINGS US TOGETHER AS A NATION AND WE PRAY ITMAY
WHEREAS, Mankind has always suffered a homesickness of the soul
ONE DAY BRING RENEWED RESPECT FOR GOD TO ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE
for which prayer is the only consolation and cure.
WORLD
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, RICHARD ARRINGTON, JR., Mayor of the City of
NOW, THEREFORE I, TOM BRADLEY. MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
Birmingham, Alabama, do hereby proclaim Thursday. May 5. 1983, as
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 5. 1983 AS "DAY OF PRAYER" IN THE CITY OF
LOS ANGELES AND CALL UPON THE CITIZENS OF OUR FAIR "CITY OF THE
ANGELS" TO GATHER TOGETHER ON THAT DAY IN HOMES AND PLACES OF
WORSHIP TO PRAY. EACH AFTER HIS OR HER OWN MANNER. FOR UNITY OF
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
THE HEARTS OF ALL MANKIND
MAYS, 1983
in Birmingham and earnestly call upon all men of faith and goodwill
to support this spiritual effort in every way which is in harmony
with their own personal convictions and beliefs.
STATE
Jam
Bradley YOR
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Seal of the City
of Birmingham, Alabama to be affixed
this the
275"
day of April, 1983.
Richard Mayor
STATE OF ALABAMA
PROCLAMATION
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR/CITY OF DALLAS
BY THE GOVERNOR
WHEREAS, prayer is the mainspring of the American spirit, a fundamental
tenet of our people since before the Republic was founded
A year before the Declaration of Independence in 1775. the
Continental Congress proclaimed the first National Day of Prayer
Prodamation
as the initial positive action they asked of every colonist
MHEREAS. two hundred years ago in 1783, the Treaty of Paris officially
ended the long, weary Revolutionary War during which a National
Day of Prayer had been proclaimed every spring for eight years.
When peace came, the National Day of Prayer was forgotten.
For almost half a century, as the Nation grew in power and
wealth, we put aside this deepest expression of American belief
WHEREAS. Prayer is the mainspring 06 the American spirit, a fundamental
our national dependence on the Providence of God;
tenet 06 our people since before the Republic was founded. A year before
the Declaration of Independence, in 1775, the consinental Congress proclaimed
WHEREAS, it took the tragedy of the Civil War to restore a National
the first National Day 06 Prayer as the initial positive action they asked
Day of Prayer. As Abraham Lincoln said. Intoxicated with
of every colonist.
unbroken success. we have become too self-sufficient to feel
the necesity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to
Revived as an armal observance by Congress in 1952, after the Revolutionary
pray to the God that made us.":
Mar and the Civil Mar, the National Day of Prayer has become a great unifying
force for our citizens who come from all the great religions of the world.
WHEREAS, revived as 801 arsual observance by Congress in 1952, the National
Prayer unites people. This common expression 06 reverence heals and brings
Day of Prayer has become a great unifying force for our citizens
us together as d Nation and we pray it may one day bring renewed respect
who come from all the great religions of the world. Prayer
for God to all the peoples 06 the world.
unites people. This common expression of reverence heals and
brings us together as a Nation and we pray it may one day bring
From General washington's struggle at Valley Forge to the present, this
renewed respect for God to all the people of the world;
Nacion has fervently sought and received divine guidance as it pursued
the course of history. This occasion provides our Nation with an opportunity
WHEREAS, from General Washington's struggle at Valley Forge to the present.
to further recognize the source of our blessings, and to seek Hes help for the
this Nation has fervently sought and received divine guidance
challenges we face today and in the future.
as it pursued the course of history. This occasion provides
our Nation with an opportunity to further recognize the source
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, JACK W. EVANS, Mayor 06 the city of Dallas. Texas, do
of our blessings, and to seek His help for the challenges we
hereby proclain Thursday, May 5, 1983,
face today and in the future:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, George C. Wallace, Governor of the State of Alabame,
do hereby proclaim Thursday. May 5. 1983, as
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
in Alabama
I call upon every citizen 06 this great city of Dallas to gather together
on that day LA homes and places 06 worship to pray, each after his on her
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
own manner, for unity of the hearts of all ankend.
set my hand and caused the Great
Seal of the State of Alabama to
be affixed by the Secretary of
State at the State Capitol in
the City of Montgomery on this
the 29th day of April, 1983.
Many GOVERNOR Wellam
ATTEST
SECRETARY OF STATE
NEWS
RELEASE
MAY 5, 1983
Co-chairmen:
NATIONAL
Mrs. Bill Bright
Chairman.
National Prayer Committee
DAY OF
The Hon. Herbert E. Ellingwood
Chairman. U.S. Merit
Systems Protection Board
PRAYER
National Day of Prayer Committee
3030 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 314, Arlington, VA 22201 (703) 522-0800
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DAY OF PRAYER DRAWS
'EXCELLENT RESPONSE'
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 13--Encouraged by "an excellent national response"
to the recent National Day of Prayer, a volunteer committee that worked to
promote that response has voted to do so again.
"What the National Day of Prayer Committee did this year to encourage
people to participate in this very important annual. observance was a kind
of test for us," said Mrs. Bill Bright, co-chairman of the committee.
"We were thrilled at the results," she added. "There is no question but
that the 1983 National Day of Prayer had genuine impact, from high levels of
government to the grassroots. We were happy to have had a part in it.
"A foundation has been established," she continued, "and we believe that
the 1984 National Day of Prayer can be an even more meaningful event for the
country than this year's. We will do all that we can to help it happen."
Mrs. Bright, a leader in several national and international prayer-oriented
groups, and Herbert E. Ellingwood, chairman of the U.S. Merit Systems Protect-
ion Board, serve as co-chairmen of the National Day of Prayer Committee.
The group publicized the national prayer day this year, urged governors and
mayors to initiate counterpart action at their own levels, and hosted two nat-
ional events in Washington, D.C., including one at which Vice President George
Bush was a speaker.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER/2
Congress established the National Day of Prayer as an annual observance
in 1952, directing the President to designate one day each year. Supporters
of the observance have often felt that the annual proclamations received less
attention throughout the nation than they should have.
This year, according to Mrs. Bright and Ellingwood, activities on May 5
directly related to the National Day of Prayer included:
--a special one-minute recess for silent prayer taken by the United States
Senate, and a special reference to the Day of Prayer by the U.S. House of
Representatives in its opening prayer on May 5;
--proclamations by at least 25 state governors designating May 5 as a
formal Day of Prayer in their states;
--similar proclamations by the mayors of dozens of cities and towns, including
Washington, D.C., Denver, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Pittsburgh;
--prayer gatherings on the steps of at least two state capitols (Texas and
Colorado), large and small prayer rallies in numerous other communities, and
special services by congregations including the well known Crystal Cathedral,
of Garden Grove, Calif., pastored by the Rev. Robert Schuller;
--a Christian Leadership Prayer Breakfast at Washington, D.C.'s Mayflower
Hotel on May 5, attended by more than 400 clergymen and lay leaders from various
parts of the country; and
--a "Celebration of the National Day of Prayer" at Washington's Constitution
Hall on the evening of May 5.
President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan served as honorary co-chairmen for the
Celebration of Prayer, at which Vice President Bush spoke in behalf of the
President. Other program participants included representatives of the
Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish religious traditions.
The National Day of Prayer Committee had also urged all Americans to "Take
5 at 12": stop for five minutes at noon on May 5 and pray for the country.