Posted by Helen on: 05.05.2007 /
I like reading John Armstrong’s blog. It makes me feel better to know there’s at least one conservative Christian noticing the things he notices and asking the questions he asks. Here are a few excerpts from his blog entry Politicizing the National Day of Prayer:
this year’s National Day of Prayer led me to ponder several very uncomfortable concerns. The culture wars have clearly overtaken the whole concept of prayer in the public arena. I wonder if it is time to find a different way to express Christian prayer for the nation.
Reports from various newspapers this morning tell of how different communities approached the day. Some made it into a sectarian religious event in which homosexual lifestyle was a part of the agenda, pro and con. In some prayer gatherings in Chicago homosexuality was spoken of openly with approval while in others it was mentioned negatively. In Wheaton 150 people came to an hour long meeting in which they received booklets opposing medical marijuana, gambling and civil unions for homosexual couples. Even a prayer offered from the podium at the Wheaton event spoke of marriage being under assault and of how America was a “Christian nation” in the past. (This use of the term “Christian” nation is so problematic it begs a thousand questions so I do not use the expression at all.)
…
The time may have come when a National Day of Prayer, as we have known it in the last thirty years or so, is not such a great idea. What has Congress to do with promoting prayer, particularly Christian prayer?
…
What I wonder is how many Christians really prayed in their churches on the National Day of Prayer? I believe the number was not that large based on what I know about my own area. For years this event has been more about seeing and being seen with the political elite, at least in my county. I once attended these prayer breakfast meetings and realized that little real prayer was offered. We all heard a speaker and had a nice and expensive breakfast.
I have a simple, but apparently radical, solution. Put prayer back in our families and churches where it really belongs. If we impacted the culture enough that people clamored for such national days they would arise out of the need and the moment not out of a bygone era. Saying this is akin to hating the flag and motherhood in this country, at least among many conservatives but this only underscores my point. Prayer has become a gesture, a talking point, a political weapon. I am not interested in that use of prayer in the least.
Comment by: Rachel
1Perhaps we need something more like the day of prayer that Senator Mark Hatfield proposed in 1974. I posted about this on my blog: A Time for Repentance.
Comment by: SezMe
2I sure hope not. Hatfield’s comments highlight the problem, when he says:
The government has no business endorsing prayer. NONE. Why is that not clear?
Worse, you know Hatfield, by the use of the phrase “Almighty God” is speaking of the Christian god. The government has no business ensorsing the christian god. NONE. Why is that not clear?
Comment by: Rachel
3The thing that I really appreciated about Hatfield’s proclamation is the attitude of humility and honesty about America’s failings. But I see your point, SezMe. And I agree that a government sponsored “Day of Prayer” is inappropriate to begin with. Not only is it disrespectful to those of nonchristian faiths or no faith, but as John Armstrong points out, it trivializes and politicizes prayer among those who do believe.