National Day of Prayer Event Is Up in the Air
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, April 27, 2009
- Viewed 72
- (29) comments so far
More from the Washington Post article:
With those questions unanswered less than two weeks before the annual observance, the National Day of Prayer Task Force, headed by Shirley Dobson, is moving ahead with other plans.
“We’re not the coordinators of that event,” said Brian Toon, vice chairman of the task force. “That’s controlled completely by the White House. We have been honored to be guests at the event in the past, but we have not heard a peep from them.”
In years past, Toon said, a White House liaison had contacted the ministry at least a month in advance to ask about its participation in the White House events, which featured music, Scripture readings and remarks by the president and Shirley Dobson.
QUESTION: What’s your take on this? Is the National Day of Prayer important and really have an impact, or is it pretty much symbolic? How do you think this will work out?
Every year since 2001, then-President George W. Bush's calendar had been cleared on the first Thursday in May to mark the National Day of Prayer in the White House East Room with prominent evangelicals. Now the Obama White House is facing questions of inside-the-Beltway etiquette: Should President Obama maintain the open door to conservative critics like James and Shirley Dobson, and if so, should they accept? Or, will the White House have an official observance at all?
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Pat on Mon, April 27, 2009
I like the observance and would hope in the interest of bipartisanship that the Obama administration would reach out to the Dobsons and continue the observance. Of course, they have every right not to, but I’d like to think that President Obama would continue reaching out to those who do not necessarily share his views. Regardless of what the White House does, Christians should still continue the observance and not let it be merely symbolic but rather a reminder of our great God who can and does answer prayer. It could also serve as a springboard in my churches to return to prayer.
Jim on Mon, April 27, 2009
What stinks about this is that both sides seem to be more concerned with the political appearance of their actions rather than praying for the nation. In that sense it is symbolic.
It certainly will have implications either way on the White House - but the fact that the Dobsons are making something of it in the press seems to indicate a notion to “hurt” the President in some way - that seems out of touch with the spirit of the event.
Since they haven’t been invited, why not send an official letter that shows the intent, or written prayers that will be given for the President and that God will protect and lead him as he serves in this office?
CS on Mon, April 27, 2009
“QUESTION: What’s your take on this? Is the National Day of Prayer important and really have an impact, or is it pretty much symbolic? How do you think this will work out?”
Once upon a time, this nation would engage in national days set aside for prayer, fasting, and humiliation. It was upon the national consciousness that to have a federal republic such as ours, we should take time as a nation to fall on our faces before God for what He provided to us. Abraham Lincoln did so back in 1863, for instance.
Then, over time, the, “humiliation,” became too, “humiliating,” and got dropped from those events.
Then, likewise, the, “fasting,” got quickly dropped.
Now, we see the, “prayer,” getting pushed to the side, with national leaders turning away from getting on their knees before God.
As this nation continues staying further away from being close with God, He will continue letting us go down our own paths of depravity. And it should be no surprise when He rightly judges us and pours out His wrath upon us.
We can only hope and pray for things to be turned around.
—
CS
Pastor Shane on Mon, April 27, 2009
It is important to be careful what you wish for, because we may get a “day of prayer” from the White House, except with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright (Obama’s pastor for 20 years) who said (quote) “Blacks should not sing ‘God bless America’, instead they should sing, ‘God damn America. America is to blame for 9/11”. It appears that the White House has been compromised and that a day of prayer would be better served by Focus on the Family.
Icy Rhoades on Mon, April 27, 2009
We don’t need the National Day of Prayer anymore ... it’s an obsolete observance ( ... so BO and his buds would have us think!) Doing away with it is simply “a sign of the times.” As the question asks: “What difference does it really make?”
Icy Rhoads on Mon, April 27, 2009
I said it before and I’ll say it again: We don’t need the National Day of Prayer anymore ... it’s an obsolete observance ( ... so BO and his buds would have us think!) Doing away with it is simply “a sign of the times.” As the question asks: “What difference does it really make?”
Rev. LarryDuBose on Mon, April 27, 2009
The main line denominations seem to observe World Day of Prayer. When I mentioned NDP to the pastors in my community, one pastor commented that it was Republican. I suspect that World Day of Prayer is considered to be more politically correct since patriotism is interpreted as” the evil of nationalism.” The new plan is for us to become citizens of the world. The president’s bowing to an Arabic king is symbolic of our new, apologetic approach. The sentiment is “forgive us for being Americans!”
Paul R Freeman on Mon, April 27, 2009
I appreciate the efforts of the Dobson’s desire to observe the National Day of Prayer, but let’s make one thing perfectly clear, in promoting this day, is it a day particularly for Christians only, or should we be inclusive of all religions that we in our United States recognize?
It so, then we need to make sure Jews, Muslims, Hindu or any other faith groups be included in this National Day of Prayer, not just for Christian. It was the intention of President Truman when he officially signed the documentation in the first place to include all faith religions not just the Christian Faith.
Q. on Mon, April 27, 2009
In response to Rev. Larry’s comment:
I agree that it’s sad…
It’s crazy when something like NDP is viewed as partisan…
It’s like the Tea Party gathering that happened on Tax Day. The whole Tea Party deal that happened was made up of people of all backgrounds: Democrats, Independents, Green party folks, Republicans and Conservatives (and more) and even with an obviously diverse make-up it was totally billed as a Republican stunt (even though most of the stuff I saw written indicated that the people were fed-up with Republicans too) so I guess we shouldn’t be too suprised that this happens on the subject of prayer too…
When something like wanting to uphold the constitution is viewed as ‘extreme’ that really says something…and when something as accessible to everyone as ‘prayer’ is regarded as ‘republican’, that says even more…
But letting our light shine and trusting in God in uncertain times is what we’re all about so we have yet another chance to show what we’re made of; without being a resounding gong of course…
Jerry on Mon, April 27, 2009
National Day of Prayer. What should we pray for on that day that would be different than what we already pray for on a daily basis? We should already be lifting up our leaders to God and taking our nation to the His throne for protection. We should be in constant prayer to begin with, so why a special national day?
Ooh! I know! Could it be because the politicians want to appear ‘godly’ to their constituencies and hopefully gain their trust and their votes? I can’t really make that determination of course, but maybe…?
Hey, I’m all for setting time aside for prayer, but why not a week, or a month instead of just a day?
jhpw on Mon, April 27, 2009
In the 1950’s, in the midst of the Cold War and McCarthyism, we did a lot of things in an attempt to distinguish ourselves from the communists. In 1952, Eisenhower signed the law instituting National Day of Prayer, in 1954 ‘under God’ was added to the Pledge of Allegiance. In 1956 ‘In God We Trust’ was declared our national motto, and began to be printed on paper money (it was on coins much earlier). I doubt that any of these things really helps the spiritual condition of the country. Just because we put In God we Trust on our money, doesn’t mean we trust Him. Because we mumbled our way through the pledge every day in school, doesn’t mean our nation is submitted to God, and just because there is a National Day of Prayer, doesn’t mean we have humbled ourselves as a nation. These things are mostly religious veneer. As Jerry said, Christians are to be praying regularly for our leaders already. We shouldn’t be waiting for a National Day of Prayer. And for those who aren’t Christians participating in NDP, it’s probably mostly an empty ritual.
Katrina on Mon, April 27, 2009
Paul Freeman wrote: “.... is it a day particularly for Christians only, or should we be inclusive of all religions that we in our United States recognize? “
This depends on your belief in God. If you believe that all the religions are worshipping the same god then the answer is yes is should include all religions. But if you believe that there is only one God (and there is) and He has revealed Himself in creation, Scripture and in the flesh by Jesus Christ, then the answer is no. Since all other gods do not exist, the prayers they pray are to demons. (1 Cor 10:20)
As Christians we should never be tolerant of false gods or false religions for to do so would be participating in their damnation. We should lovingly and compassionately confront their beliefs and share the truth in and effort to save their souls.
It is difficult as a Christian in America to stand on the truth when guys like Joel Osteen gets the lime light and is showcased as THE representative of Christianity in this country. He does not preach the Gospel and on top of all of that…HE CHARGES PEOPLE TO HEAR HIM PREACH A “MESSAGE OF HOPE” IN A TIME OF TROUBLE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?!
I looked in the Scriptures for Biblical precedent by the apostles or the prophets for charging people to hear the Gospel and I couldn’t find any. But that’s right!!.....Joel doesn’t preach the Gospel so I guess it is perfectly ok for him to do it. What a farce! I know some of you will defend the great Osteen but true believers must never tolerate this kind of practice. We have to call it for what it is. What an embarrassment!
Paul R Freeman on Mon, April 27, 2009
Responding to Katrina, I guess then you have no tolerance for your fellow humans if you claim your god is the only God. That’s one of the needs or reasons for such a National Day of Prayer to be more tolerant and accepting of others faith/belief. God is the God of all, just not for Christian (look that up in your gospels) And having a toleration for others you need to read Paul’s letter to the Romans.
There is only One who can judge or determine whether one’s faith is acceptable or not, and that is God alone.
CS on Mon, April 27, 2009
Paul:
“Responding to Katrina, I guess then you have no tolerance for your fellow humans if you claim your god is the only God. That’s one of the needs or reasons for such a National Day of Prayer to be more tolerant and accepting of others faith/belief. “
Unless, of course, it’s the truth. In which case, letting people continue on worshiping false gods would be a horrible thing to do.
—
CS
Paul R Freeman on Mon, April 27, 2009
Responding to CS and the only one to determine what is falset? God.
Also take some time and read Amendment 1 to the US Constitution. As our government can not establish what religion to follow, then being tolerant of others is all the more important to adhere to.
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