The President Bush National Prayer 2001 Washington DC took place just days after the September 11 terrorist attacks, when America was reeling from unimaginable loss. On September 14, 2001, President George W. Bush stood at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC (ZIP 20004) and led the nation in prayer.
His words sought God’s comfort for grieving families, courage for rescue workers, and strength for a nation facing both sorrow and fear.
The Prayer (Excerpt, Sept. 14, 2001)
“We are here in the middle hour of our grief. So many have suffered so great a loss, and today we express our nation’s sorrow. We come before God to pray for the missing and the dead, and for those who love them… Our purpose as a nation is firm, yet our wounds as a people are recent and unhealed. We are determined to answer these attacks and rid the world of evil. In our grief and in our anger we have found our mission and our moment. And God is near.”
This prayer became a turning point — transforming national mourning into a resolve rooted in faith.
Historic Backstory
The September 11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and shocked the world. America had not seen such devastation on its own soil since Pearl Harbor. As rescue efforts continued and families mourned, the president declared a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.
At the National Cathedral service, faith leaders from many traditions joined in prayer. But it was the president’s own words that set the tone: a humble acknowledgment of grief, coupled with a resolute trust in God’s presence.
The President Bush National Prayer 2001 Washington DC reminded America that even in tragedy, hope could be found in faith.
Biblical Parallel — Comfort in Crisis
Psalm 34:18 declares: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
The President Bush National Prayer 2001 Washington DC reflects this truth. By turning to God in the midst of devastation, the nation found both comfort and courage.
Modern Application — Prayer in Times of National Tragedy
9/11 showed that in moments of shock, politics fades and prayer unites. Bush’s prayer is a reminder for us today: when our communities face crisis, prayer is the first response, not the last resort.
The National Prayer Wall continues that calling by giving people across every ZIP Code a place to share, strengthen, and lift their communities in prayer.
Visit Washington, DC Today
The National Cathedral (ZIP Code 20016), where Bush offered his prayer, remains a site of remembrance for 9/11. In Lower Manhattan (ZIP Code 10007), the 9/11 Memorial and Museum stand as powerful reminders of both loss and resilience.
📍 This prayer was delivered in Washington, DC 20004, at the National Cathedral.
👉 If you’ve followed this journey, you’ve seen how America’s history has been shaped by prayer — from 1607 at Cape Henry to 2001 at the National Cathedral. Revisit the very beginning of this journey: Cape Henry Landing Prayer, 1607 →
Reference Prayers and Proclamations: Historic Prayers in American Life (White House PDF)