President Bush says there are "grave challenges" ahead in the war against terrorism. In his weekly radio address, the president marked the Easter and Passover holidays by speaking about the importance of faith in recovering from the violence of September 11.
Nearly seven months after the terrorist attacks, President Bush stresses the shock and sadness of that day are still felt. "For many, the grief and sense of loss will never fully pass, and they are in our thoughts, especially in this holy season," he said.
Mr. Bush says the holidays are a time of joy and renewal for Jews and Christians, holy days that he says represent some of the most profound hopes of humanity, a reliance on the Creator that is shared in many traditions.
"Americans practice different faiths, in churches, synagogues, mosques and temples," added Mr. Bush. "And many good people practice no faith at all. For those who observe Easter and Passover, faith brings confidence that failure is never final, and suffering is temporary, and the pains of the Earth will be overcome. We can be confident, too, that evil may be present, and it may be strong, but it will not prevail."
President Bush says justice and cruelty have always been at war, and God is not neutral in the fight.
"On September the 11, a terrible evil was done to our country," he said. "America and the civilized world are now joined together in a great struggle against enemies who have no regard for innocent life. Grave challenges and dangers face us in this war. We cannot predict every turn ahead of us. Yet, in this season, we are assured that history is of moral design."
The president and first lady are spending the Easter weekend at their Texas ranch. They are joined by her mother and his parents - the former President George Bush and his wife Barbara.