Gerald Rudolph Ford (1913 - ), became the 38th President of the United States, after replacing the vice-president who resigned, and then the president who resigned.  He was the only person to succeed to that office without being elected.  Upon assuming office on August 9, 1974, President Gerald Ford entreated:

"I ask you to confirm me as your president with your prayers... God helping me, I will not let you down."  - On assuming office, August 9, 1974.  Benjamin Weiss, God in American History: A Documentation of America's Religious Heritage (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1966), p. 158.  Willard Cantelon, Money Master of the World (Plainfield, NJ: Logos International, 1976), p. 122.

President Gerald Ford, on December 5, 1974, upheld that:

"Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life.  Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first - the most basic - expression of Americanism.  Thus the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God's help, it will continue to be."  - December 5, 1974.  Mrs. Dr. James Dobson (Shirley), chairman, The National Day of Prayer Information Packet (Colorado Springs, CO: National Day of Prayer Tack Force, May 6, 1993).