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President
GEORGE W. BUSH JR.   click here

The Day I Prayed with
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
By: Arthur Blessitt

From my diary (Arthur Blessitt) dated April 3, 1984.

"A good and powerful day. Led Vice President Bush's son to Jesus today. George Bush Jr.! This is great! Glory to God."

I was preaching a Jesus meeting in Midland, Texas at the "Chaparral Center". The meeting was called Decision '84! Date: April 1-6. The poster for the meeting states:

"Hear Arthur Blessitt, world evangelist who has carried a 12 foot cross in 60 countries on six continents. [Now 290 nations, island groups and territories on all 7 continents, over 34,500 miles. 'The world's longest walk' according to the Guinness Book of Records] In unity many churches, organizations and individuals support "Decision '8'  with the sincere prayer that we might experience the love of God, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit."

 The response was glorious as many received Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and many more accepted the call to ministry and other decisions for Christ. The attendance at each nightly meeting was in the thousands. I was speaking during the day all around the city and carrying the cross in the streets. It was the focus point of the city of Midland for that week with the meeting being broadcast on the local radio.

Mr. George W. Bush, a Midland oilman listened to the radio broadcast and asked one of his friends "Can you arrange for me to meet Arthur Blessitt and talk to him about Jesus?" That friend told a friend of mine "George Bush wants to meet Arthur Blessitt and talk to him about Jesus."

My friend that lived in Midland was also in the oil business. He came to me and said "George W. Bush, the Vice President's son wants to meet you and talk about Jesus. He does not feel comfortable to attend the meeting at the Chaparral Center but has been listening on the radio. Will you meet with him?" I agreed and we arranged a time to meet the next day.

My friend and I walked into the room at the arranged time and Mr. George W. Bush got up to shake our hands. He already knew my Midland friend. Mr. Bush asked how I was enjoying Midland and how the meetings were going. He said he had been listening on the radio. I told him everything was wonderful and the response at the meeting and in the city was great.

Then George W. Bush looked at me, direct in the eyes with a calm steady look and said "Arthur, I did not feel comfortable attending the meeting, but I want talk to you about how to know Jesus Christ and how to follow Him."

I was quite shocked at his direct and sincere approach. Few people just bring up that type subject themselves and especially within only two or three minutes of our meeting. I had been praying for him since last night when I heard he wanted to talk. My friend and I had also prayed for Mr. Bush. Now I whispered a silent prayer "Oh Jesus put your words in my mouth and lead him to understand and be saved."

I slowly leaned forward and lifted the Bible that was in my hand and began to speak.

"What is your relationship with Jesus"? I said. He replied, "I’m not sure".

"Let me ask you this question. If you died this moment do you have the assurance you would go to heaven?" "No" he replied.

"Then let me explain to you how you can have that assurance and know for sure that you are saved."   He replied, "I like that."

I then begin to share somewhat in this order about how to know and follow Jesus. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God".  Romans 3:23

This means we all have sinned and fall short of Jesus, God's Glory. I am a sinner and you are a sinner. The Bible says, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8  No one has a pure heart and here are the consequences of that sin.

"The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Romans 6:23

Our sin has earned a wage and that wage is death or separation from God in Hell. God Has provided a gift (eternal life) and yet to have this new and eternal life we must receive Jesus. "God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

On the cross Jesus paid the price of our sins. He died for us and arose again on the third day, then ascended unto the Father. The virgin born Jesus lived without sin, overcame sin and died for our sins. I briefly told of the life of Jesus, his healings and miracles and death and resurrection. Then explained that even in our sins God loves us.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me!" John 14:6.  Jesus said, "Follow Me".  John 1:43

"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Mark 8:34. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will Give you rest." Matthew 11:28.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  John 14:27

"The call of Jesus is for us to repent and believe! The choice is like this. Would you rather live with Jesus in your life or live without Him?" I said.  Mr. Bush replied,  "With Him".

Had you rather spend eternity with Jesus or without Him? "With Jesus."

"Jesus changes us from the inside out. The world tries to change us from the outside in. Jesus is not condemning you He wants to save you and cleanse your heart and change your desires. He wants to write your name in the Book of Life and welcome you into His family, now and forever."

At this point my friend also gave his personal testimony about when he came to Jesus and how his life is with Christ as his Savior. This was powerful and moving and as he too was in the oil business his witness was very effective.  Also the friend Mr. Bush had called to arrange the meeting had just come to know Jesus and it was to him he had turned to contact me.

"Mr. Bush I would like to pray a prayer for you and then lead you in a prayer of commitment and salvation. You can become a follower of Jesus now."

He had listened the entire time and asked some questions and my friend and I gave explanations. I shared of course more than I have written here of the Gospel message.  I leaned forward and reached out my hand as I said, "I want to pray with you now".  Mr. Bush replied, "I'd like that."

He had a firm strong but tender grip. My friend also took joined hands with us. I prayed for him and nothing else. That he might know and become a true follower of Jesus from this day forth. Then I asked him to pray with me and repeat the following prayer with all his heart and consider each word to make it his own.  His grip tightened and we prayed one phrase at a time a prayer similar to this:

"Dear God I believe in you and I need you in my life. Have mercy on me a sinner. Lord Jesus as best as I know how, I want to follow you. Cleanse me from my sins and come into my life as my Savior and Lord. I believe You lived without sin, died on the cross for my sins and arose again on the third day and have now ascended unto the Father. I love you Lord, take control of my life. I believe you hear my prayer. I welcome the Holy Spirit of God to lead me in Your way. I forgive everyone and ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and give me love for all people. Lead me to care for the needs of others. Make my home in Heaven and write my name in Your book in Heaven. I accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and desire to be a true believer in and follower of Jesus. Thank you God for hearing my prayer. In Jesus name I pray."

It was an awesome and glorious moment! We were just three brothers rejoicing in Christ. I said "There is rejoicing in Heaven now! You are saved!"  I read the following scripture:

"There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents".  Luke 15:10.  "There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."  Luke 15:7

Mr. Bush was smiling and my friend and I were rejoicing! It was a glorious and happy time.  I then said, "I now want to share with you what Jesus has done in your life. I have written then in a pamphlet called 'The New Life'. I will leave it with you as well as the 'Big Question' tract that has the outline of what I told you earlier."

Having repented of your sins and asked Jesus Christ into your heart as Savior and Lord it is important now to consider what has taken place:

Jesus has come to live within your heart
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."   Revelation 3:20.   When you open the door (your will) Jesus comes into your heart to stay. This is a personal relationship with God. You can come to Him with every need and receive certain victory. The One who has made us now comes to live within us.

Your sins are forgiven
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7-9.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.    The Bible teaches when we repent of our sins the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. To repent means that we turn our backs upon the old way, to put our trust in Jesus and desire to live for Him from now on. When we repent and ask forgiveness our sins are gone. God forgives us - this is good news. Other people may remember but God erases your past.

You are saved.  That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."   For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Romans 10:9-13

To be saved means that we have been delivered form spiritual death through faith in Jesus Christ. Sin separates us from God, but Jesus bore our sins on the cross and paid the eternal penalty for our sins. When we receive Jesus we are saved from the penalty of sin which is eternal separation from God, we are being saved daily from the power of Satan and one day in heaven we will be saved from the presence of Satan and sin.

You have received eternal life.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."   Romans 6:23

Before you receive Christ the Bible declares you to be spiritually dead, but now in Christ you are spiritually alive. Not a temporary life in Jesus, but an eternal relationship with Him. He will be with you every moment from now on. He has promised never to leave or forsake us.

You are now the Child of God.  "But as many as received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name."  John 1:12

"Now therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."  Ephesians 2:19
Through faith in Jesus Christ you are now in the family of God, you are the object of God's love and can be sure that your relationship with Him is close, personal and intimate. As a father would love his children and care for them so even God our Father now loves and cares for us.

The Holy Spirit abides within you.  "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy spirit who is in you, who you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them, and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people."  2 Corinthians 6:16

God has revealed Himself to us as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He comes to live within us at the moment of conversion and makes our body His dwelling place. Through the Holy Spirit the fruits of the Spirit-filled life (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23) can become a living reality.

You have become a new person.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."   John 3:3
Many times people call their new birth in Jesus their 'new birthday'. Inwardly we have become a new person. Things are changed. Jesus Christ changes the heart. The outward actions of our life then become different. God's Spirit lives and abides within us.

Your relationship with other people has changed.
We forgive others as we expect God to forgive us. Walk in a forgiving relationship to others.  Forgiveness is a mark of a true follower of Jesus
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."  (Matthew 6:12)
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses".  (Matthew 11:25- 26)

We now love other people as we know God loves us. We should be willing to share the material things that God has blessed us with. We should be concerned about the whole of a person - body, mind and soul - and should seek in every way to meet the needs of others.

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.  (Ephesians 5:18)

When we are saved the Holy Spirit comes to live within us, yet often we are not fully in the control of God's Spirit. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is a moment-by-moment walk. When you realize that any attitude or action is not of God then, at that moment, repent, ask God's cleansing and have Him refill you with the fullness of His Spirit. 

We are filled with His Spirit when we repent of all sin, yield our life to His control and by faith ask to be filled with His Spirit. It is vital for your life to be filled moment by moment with His Spirit. You, as a new person in Jesus Christ, have begun life's greatest adventure.

What to do Now!  Pray Daily.
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 vHe spoke a parable to them that we always ought to pray and not lose heart. (Luke 18:1).  Prayer is a moment-by-moment relationship with God. You can pray at any time, at any place. As we share every need of our life with God in prayer we can know that He hears us. Prayer is also being open for God to speak to our life. It is in this most personal way through prayer that we grow spiritually day-by-day.

Read the Bible Daily.
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things are so. Acts 17:11.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2
Jesus said "Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."  We need to eat the spiritual food of God's word daily, to study His word and be obedient to His commandments.

Witness for Christ Daily.  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Acts 5:42
Prayer and reading our Bible daily is to strengthen us and help enable us to bear witness of Jesus to others. We should seek to witness for Jesus to every person we meet wherever we are. We should not be fearful or timid, but we should be loving and open as we tell others of Jesus. We are saved to share our faith not simply to wait until Jesus comes to receive us. Our commission is to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every person.

Confess Christ Openly and Be Baptized.
Therefore whoever confesses Me before me, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. Matthew 28: 19-20.
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2:41.  Jesus always calls His disciples openly to follow Him. We are not to be secret disciples but open witnesses. Jesus has asked us to confess Him openly and follow Him in baptism after we have put our faith in Him as Savior. Jesus was baptized in water. He commands us to be baptized and early followers followed His commandment. Baptism does not wash away our sin but it is an open testimony that we have died to one way of life to live a new life with Jesus.

Attend Church where the Bible is and Christ are honored.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
Every follower should be in fellowship with other believers praying, singing, worshipping, studying the Bible, following Christ's commandments and seeking to preach the gospel of salvation to other people and minister to all the needs of our fellow man. It is vital that we assemble ourselves together with others to grow spiritually and help others. This fellowship can be found in many Churches and also often in small Bible Study and Prayer Groups in some friend's home.

Keep Christ's Commandments.
If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15
Jesus said if we love Him we will keep his commandments. We obey the commandments of the Bible because we want to. A person that loves Jesus desires to be obedient to His will and accepts that the way the Bible has asked us to live is right and proper for us. Therefore we seek daily to walk as He has asked us to walk.

We talked for a while more about following Jesus. I encouraged him to tell his wife and friends what had happened in his heart. I told him he needed now to grow in the Lord and study the Word of God and be open in his testimony. I told him I would not get up and announce in the meeting about him being saved.

"You give your own testimony of what Jesus has done in your life."

The three of us talked some more then we had a brief prayer before we left.  I wrote him several times and we spoke on the phone a time or two during the next year or two. He was on my newsletter mailing also. I was carrying the cross around the world and gone sometimes for months at a time. I lost contact but often prayed for him. I would read of him first as president of the baseball team the Texas Rangers and then as Governor of Texas. As news of his interest in running for President of the United States appeared in the news I read of George W. Bush speaking openly of his following Jesus and having received Christ as his Savior. I was thrilled and kept praying for him.

In his book "A charge to keep my journey to the White House" by George W. Bush pages 136-139, he tells in quite some detail about a visit with Rev. Billy Graham in Maine where he says “"Reverend Graham planted a mustard seed in my soul."

Mr. Bush goes on to say about Jesus, "I would commit my heart to Jesus Christ. I was humbled to learn that God sent His Son to die for a sinner like me. I was comforted to know that through the Son, I could find God's amazing grace, a grace that crosses every border, every barrier and is open to everyone. Through the love of Christ's life, I could understand the life-changing powers of faith. I began reading the Bible regularly. Don Evans talked me into joining him and another friend, Don Jones, at a men's community Bible study. The group had first assembled the year before, in spring of 1984, [that was the spring of my week meeting in Midland] at the beginning of the downturn in the energy industry. Laura and I were members of First Methodist Church in Midland. Faith changes lives, I know, because faith has changed mine."

After reading how open Mr. George W. Bush is now in his relationship with Jesus. I knew I could speak openly of our time together when he prayed to receive Jesus. However I thought it could be interpreted as a political statement if I spoke about it during the campaign.

Mr. Bush giving a long summary of his visit with Rev. Graham opened the way for me to share about my visit with him.

Friday June 25, 1999 then candidate George W. Bush came to Fort Myers, Florida for a fundraising breakfast. I read about it and paid my personal $1,000 admission. Hundreds of people attended the breakfast at a huge private home on the Caloosahatchee River. Mr. Bush was to speak outside along the waterfront. There was no way he was going to shake hands with everyone, speak and leave in a short time. I prayed and figured which door he would come out of. I was waiting near a door as I stood in the living room. Sure enough he came out that door and I was the third person to shake his hand.

I said, "I am Arthur Blessitt, we met in Midland…." He interrupted me. "Yes, you carried the cross through the Darien Jungle."  He pulled me to him in a big hug. I told him briefly that I had now carried the cross in every nation and was now going to all the remote island groups. I ask how he was and then I said.

"Do you remember when we met and talked about Jesus and we prayed together and you invited Jesus into your life?" "Oh, Yes”" he replied. Other people were crowding about and could now over hear us talking. I said quietly,  "I am very proud of you and your testimony for Christ. I would like to have a brief prayer with you again."

"Sure, I would like that."  Replied Mr. Bush.  I had typed a prayer the night before and I prayed it and he followed on the paper I gave him.

A prayer for George W. Bush

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His Face to shine upon you and give you peace! May His goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life. May He who formed you in your mother’s womb and He who called you and chose you from her womb, protect, bless, lead, prosper and keep your heart pure. May you be a light to many people and show both:  Wisdom and humility,  Compassion and justice, Service and sacrifice both to God and man. May the Lord watch over you in your going out and coming in,
now and forever more.  May the peace of God fill you even in the face of your adversary. May the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control be yours. The Lord of Hosts preserve you. May the love of God fill you! May Jesus show you His way, His truth and His life.  In Jesus Name I pray.  I then said “How can we stay in touch?

He replied, "I will give you the name of my assistant, phone number and a special address." I wrote it down as he gave it to me.  Then he said "God bless you and thank you Arthur, keep in touch."

I stepped back and stood watching and praying as others greeted him. I was only thrilled that I had been able to make contact. It cost me one thousand dollars but it was worth a million.

"Arthur" it was George W. Bush calling. "This man needs to talk to a real person of faith",  he said as he kind of handed a man over to me. The man said he wanted a photo of Mr. Bush. George W Bush called me over to him and said.

"Here, you stand with me"! I was a bit shocked but very pleased to get a photo with him. I talked to the man who took the photo and he agreed to send me a copy. I did receive it about a month later.

I waited outside for the speech. As George W. Bush was making his way to the mike he saw me and leaned over people with his hand out. "Arthur"  he said and I replied "God bless you."  We shook hands again.  During the speech whenever he spoke of 'faith' he would look at me and smile. As he left he called out to me again.

I was trembling at the glorious work of the Holy Spirit. My wife Denise did not attend, as it would have cost another thousand for her.  George W. Bush, the oilman I prayed with to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord on April 3, 1984 has gone on to become President of the United States of America. All glory to God.

I am publishing this on my website at http://www.blessitt.com/. Why?

1. President George W. Bush has openly written and spoken about his meeting with Billy Graham. Where he talked about Jesus and following Him.

2. He has told of his Bible study with Don Evans and the Midland men’s Bible study group.

3. President Bush has openly witnessed to and prayed with others to receive Christ as Savior as he did at a recent large gathering of a thousand or so in Washington D.C. This was well reported by the news there and by eyewitnesses.

4. President Bush has met and prayed with world leaders in the White House.

5. The president is not ashamed of his relationship with Jesus and is open in his witness.

6. I want to encourage people in witnessing for Jesus! I have always heard it said ‘the person you lead to Jesus may someday be President of the United States. Well it’s true!

7. Be faithful in sharing Jesus with everyone. Jesus said “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person”. Mark 16:15

8. I pray that this very report will result in others believing and becoming true followers of Jesus.

9. During the years of my walk around the world I have met and prayed with many leaders. One of the most public was with Yasser Arafat in Beirut, Lebanon during the war in 1982. CNN TV saw me praying with him in the streets and filmed it and reported it around the world.

10. Billy Graham and I walked in the battlefields of Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1972 and prayed with people. He even took a cameraman along to record the walk and witness.

11. I carried the cross in Midland. Had prayer in the city center and did a crosswalk. Often when I am carrying the cross people get in touch with me and want to talk and pray. So I consider this as just another part of the crosswalk witness. Along the way of the cross I have prayed with thousands, even millions of people. Many are household names and other unknown outside their own family and friends or area. To me it matters not. In my books, videos and website I tell experiences of praying with all kinds of people around the world the known and unknown.

12. May God bless President George W. Bush in every way and my God bless each of you who read this report.

For more information on how to receive Jesus as Savior check our link “Message to the World” http://www.blessitt.com/goodnews.html “How to witness at home and anywhere” http://www.blessitt.com/home.html

I will pray with you (audio prayers) at: http://www.blessitt.com/prayers.html  Please visit our website at http://www.blessitt.com/ for the history of the crosswalk, photos and update news.

Arthur and Denise Blessitt
P.O. Box 4737,  North Fort Myers, Florida
33918 U.S.A.         Phone 941 997 5800     E-mail:  arthur@blessitt.com