Aviation and NFL Assisted Prayer without the President’s Help?
by J. Glenn Ferrell
Among the planned events for this year’s National Day of Prayer was “Prayer In The Air,” involving private planes flying over state capitols to pray for state and national leaders. In addition, a national gathering included James Dobson of Focus on the Family, his wife Shirley, chair of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, author Beth Moore, NFL player Shaun Alexander and Minnesota Congressional Representative, Michele Marie Bachmann.
Unlike President G. W. Bush, who hosted an interfaith East Room prayer gathering each of his eight years in office, President Obama officially recognized the day but did not hold a public event. Harry Truman was the first President to establish a national prayer day in 1952. President Reagan signed a resolution in 1988 making the first Thursday in May National Prayer Day; and each president since has recognized it with a proclamation. Both Reagan and H. W. Bush marked the day with a White House observance. As there was no official White House gathering, members of the privately funded National Day of Prayer Task Force expressed disappointment. However, members of the legislative and judicial branches of federal government did attend an event sponsored by the NDPTF at the Capitol, without executive branch representation.
Atheist and secularists leaders applauded the President’s toning down of the Day of Prayer. They’d have preferred he not issue the proclamation, citing the mythical “separation of church and state;” but are pleased with his restraint.
Shirley Dobson expressed disappointment in the “lack of participation” by the administration, adding “at this time in our country’s history, we would hope our President would recognize more fully the importance of prayer.” Appearing on the “700 Club” with Pat Robinson, she said it would have been “wonderful:” if the President had reached out to “people of faith” and “set an example for the nation.”
While prayer is good and the myth of church and state separation is false, one wonders at these events. How much prayer happens between the speeches? Is this a mere celebration of civil religion? What is the value of such pluralistic gatherings of generic “people of faith.” Are these mere “examples” of religious piety?
I suppose my puny prayers, not having the advantage of a flying start in a plane, or a gathering which includes a NFL star, are at a disadvantage over those that do. Does living at 2700 feet and praying from the second floor help? Too much of this is treating prayer as a gimmick, a manipulation of God with a magic spell.
Jesus taught us how and what to pray. Only those who can call him “Our Father,” because we are his redeemed children by his grace through faith in Christ alone, have any promise of his hearing our prayers. Our priorities must be for the full manifestation of his glory in his name as revealed in his son and word, his kingdom, and his will, before we move on to our own daily needs. Then, we are to be equally concerned for our sins, our forgiveness of others, and protection from the evil of our own hearts so vulnerable to temptations and trial.
Prayer is not a magic spell to ward off harm and bring good fortune, practiced in gatherings of generic “people of faith,” or to be ferried in airplanes above state capitals once a year. Prayer is sincere faith from a broken heart trusting only in God’s mercy in his graciously provided redeemer Jesus. Prayer is not an ordeal or marathon public relations event whereby we earn God’s favor and blessing. Our sinful natures are unable and not inclined to pray aright without the work of God ‘s grace, and the Holy Spirit in our hearts, enabling us to pray according to God’s will revealed in his word. One can only truly pray from humility and dependence; not with the intent to earn God’s favor, or force his hand. Everything else is vain and pretentious affectation, which won’t get to heaven, even with a boost from wings, propellers, jet engines, or booster rockets.
Prayer is one of the essential elements of Christian worship. The Church is to be salt and light in the world, a royal priesthood of intercessors for rulers, nations and peoples, bringing the gospel of the kingdom to bear upon all. So, why the pretentious display of generic piety each year in May, giving religious credibility to reprobate politicians, joining with non-believers and idolaters in polytheistic devotions to an unknown god of their own making.
Each day in our private and family devotions, each Lord’s Day in public worship, make intercession for magistrates, governments, nations and peoples, pleading for God’s mercy, national revival, church reformation, and civil magistrates to know where their authority comes from, its limits and obligations; all in the context of biblical, God pleasing worship, not people pleasing therapeutic moralism to attract a crowd. Biblical worship, preaching and prayer should scare the fainthearted and unconverted away. And, it does.
© Copyright 2009 by J. Glenn Ferrell
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