National Day of Prayer without WH Ceremony

Its just as well here too. However it was nice to have President that at least honored the importance of prayer.

 

We're not really surprised, are we?

 

Change

CHANGE

CHANGE

CHANGE
CHANGE
:BangHead:

 

A National Day of Prayer - is this only for Christian prayers...or Jewish prayers...or Muslim prayers...or Hindu prayers...etc., etc., etc. ... or for all prayers regardless of religion?

 

Thanks for the info, LE. I found this at the link you provided:

"The National Day of Prayer Task Force was a creation of the National Prayer Committee for the expressed purpose of organizing and promoting prayer observances conforming to a Judeo-Christian system of values. People with other theological and philosophical views are, of course, free to organize and participate in activities that are consistent with their own beliefs. This diversity is what Congress intended when it designated the Day of Prayer, not that every faith and creed would be homogenized, but that all who sought to pray for this nation would be encouraged to do so in any way deemed appropriate."

I think that fully answers my question. Thanks.

 

Why would you feel Bush honored prayer because he had a public ceremony? Prayer is a matter of the heart and not a public ceremony. Many pray in public and have no relationship with God.

Mt 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

 

There are lots of examples of Isreal as a nation crying out to God for Help publicly!

 

The US is not Israel and we as a nation are not God's people. Some of what you're eluding to is what was wrong with Israel and not something we should mimic.

There is great reason Jesus endorsed private prayer over public. Who are we to second guess the Master?

 

You don't read the Old Testement? We are talking NATION not just private.

 

Although this is relatively unimportant in the overall scheme of things, I think this is another wrong move by President Obama. Since he claims to be a Christian, he should use every opportunity to demonstrate his faith. Having a public ceremony on this day to honor Jesus Christ would be a good thing.

 

You didn't read my post, the US is not Israel and we as a nation are not God's people...

Salvation and/or relationship with Christ is individual and not national.

 

I believe that's the point, he would be demonstrating his faith to naysayers and public instead of where it counts, to Christ... He has nothing to prove to any of us in regards to his religion.

I have no problem if he does it but I equally have no problem if he chooses not to do it. This is between Obama and his God. No other president was held to this standard so why do we make a new standard for Obama?

The great Ronald Reagan observed 1 in 8 years (not his first year). Did you equally criticize him or do you have new criteria for Obama? Bush observed the day but he believed in other ways of salvation. How are we sure which God he prayed to?

 

The Assyrians definitely weren't, either. But was it wrong of the king of Ninevah to declare a time of prayer and fasting after Jonah preached to them?

 

Americans United Commends Obama for Discontinuing Religious Right-Focused Prayer Even

Interesting piece here:

 

there are apparently christians who do not believe in prayer, they have seperated their christianity so far from their life.

 

Three weeks ago, an elderly friend and I were planning to go today to the county court house yard to pray. But I called her today and found she'd decided not to go as she had other things to do, and like me, her energies are challenged.

Well, it is so easy to make excuses and I started not to go, more especially so after reading this thread and feeling discouraged. However, as I started to shed my clothes into an everyday house dress to feel more comfortable its like the holy spirit was talking to me about candles under a bushel, about assembling ourselves together, about letting my light shine, about being a witness. So what if my back was hurting. God would make a way...... not like last Sunday when by the time I could dress and ready myself and move I was too late except for the closing prayer in SS, and by which time my back ache was responding with rebound from the brief recovery made in the hot shower that I felt I couldn't last through worship so I sent my offering in with a classmate and returned hom. Not this time.

I made it on time, and found a place not too far to park although a crowd was formed and large.....one of the largest I ever recall seeing. As I lifted my folding chair to take, a gentleman requested of me could he carry my chair....... and he did right to the very spot I had hoped to sit. Isn't it wonderful how God provides even for the small and simple things! I had picked the right spot because right behind me was a bold and black Christian man..... and with a lady and her husband sitting in front of me we had an AMEN corner.:tongue3::godisgood:

The bulletin passed out gave the program and a list of names of various officials beginning with the President and his cabinet, the Congress and the Court, right on down to State, County, Town, community, and families and youth. Several of the local officials lead with some scripture or a poem and a few took the lead in prayer. But most of the prayers were offered by volunteers from the local churches. Though it wasn't required and not everybody followed suit, most identified themselves and their place of regular fellowship..... Baptist churches in the area were well represented.

I don't think I made it last year or the year before..... I just can't remember, though I've made it to several of these meetings on the National Day of Prayer. I do know that in the past, though moved by the assembly of others, I've been disappointed regarding various aspects: The invocation was given and most of the prayers were given without invocing the name of Jesus, and the National Anthem was sung as a self styled solo...... which I ignored and softly sang the real tune and verse and made comment to a few around me of how I wished we'd bring back the congregational singing of the national anthem.

Well, this year, most all of the prayers were ended in the name of Jesus, some petitioned us and the church for repentance, most of them included appropriate scripture...... well, it was just inspirational. If represenatatives of Jewish faith had participated..... I could have reverenced their expressions and any other, for that matter, but I could not pray to allah or any other god, and would have sorely been disappointed had noone of the Christian community stood to pray in the name of Jesus to represent the body which follows after my Savior and my God.

Well, it was the nicest turn out that I ever recall in the hot sunshine at 84*. Though it wasn't in the program, someone at the end lead forth with 'God bless America, Land that I love.....etcl" and everyone joined in. It was spontaneous but ever a so fitting ending to this open observance. I'm hoping and praying that each of us will continue to carry the inspiration of those moments on into our own quiet times with the Lord in petition for our country and its leaders.

That is the purpose of the National Day of Prayer.... to bring to our remembrance what great things God hath done in our own lives and in the history of our country..... and to remind us to pray for those who are in positions of leadership and government, their families and government workers, as well as for our own communities, churches, and neighbors. Even as many of us may be experiencing crisis of finances.... so it is that many of our leaders are facing crisis in their budgets and in need of devine guidance and wisdom to make the best choices.