Well, today is the so-called "National Day of Prayer." I'm sure that it was created with noble intentions, but recently, the actions of those supporting it have not been so noble. In fact, they have countered Christ's own teachings.
When President Obama said that he would not have the ceremony in the White House that the previous president had for the Day of Prayer, some in the religious right had a bit of a problem. This makes me think (yet again) that they missed part of the New Testament.
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:5,6 NSRV)
So this is my problem with the Day of Prayer. Some in the religious community want the president to make a show about it. Even though Jesus says clearly that we are NOT to do so. So when President Obama says that he wants his prayers to be a private affair, which they should be, not something paraded in front of the press, the religious right has a problem. Well, if they want to make a show out of praying, I say let them and notice them. At least that way they will get their reward. However, I suggest not making a statement by praying. This is a conversation with God, too sacred to use for increasing political power.
And on another note, I have yet to get the take-home exam I was supposed to get on Tuesday.
Reload, Restart, Respawn, Return
13 years ago
1 comment:
Some people also choose to remember that the community was very important in the early church, though. Not to defend Bush, since his is a more hysterical and showy version, but the gathering of those of like faith was part of what did it for the early Christians. Maaaybe that's what some people were getting at. If you're my brother in faith, share the prayer, since we both have faith and gain added support through one anothers' faiths.
Or maybe they're just showy, pretentious, and like histrionics. You be the judge. :)
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