Oak leaves.
Washington at Valley Forge, Lincoln when our nation's survival was at stake, and even FDR, when enemies across the great oceans stood ready to test our greatness, all sought prayer for our country. Today, faced with the threats of global jihad, economic upheaval and the destruction of our national sovereignty, can we honestly say we should do less.
Jim McCloskey of the Staunton News Leader questions the need for a national day of prayer in his McCloskey Monday. Jim, take a hard look at the problems facing us today and see if you don't want to rethink this.
A Friend of mine wrote this letter to the editor in response:
In regard to Jim McCloskey's article in today's paper, May 3, 2010, on The National Day of Prayer, I have a few comments:
Jim claims to be a church going person so I wonder why he is so concerned about having a National Day of Prayer?
I hope that he realizes that this is a time...
a day set apart for ALL faiths not just for the Christian or Jewish faiths.
It is a day set apart and the churches have this wonderful opportunity to have special services apart from Sunday.
There are prayer breakfasts, prayer in the park, prayer at noon, prayer called at different times ALL DAY throughout the United States...
We have extreme National concerns. We are a nation bordering on bankruptcy, threats of terrorism, immorality throughout our schools, government control of all or our lives i.e. National Health Care---there are bank failures, etc. There is MUCH to pray about. So, think of it as wonderful, that a day is set apart for ALL people, of ALL faiths, to join together to pray. I and my family look forward to participating in it together every year.
All faiths are called to prayer on this National Day of Prayer...I hope all of us realize that.
I do hope that he will not be so sensitive to a day that means so much to all of us and if he does not want to participate in it, he certainly does not have to---just give us the freedom to continue participating in this, our NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER.
Nancy Summers,
Staunton, Virginia
An Urgent Call to Seek Divine Intervention...
On May 1st a number of Christian and Jewish leaders called for urgent prayer for our nation. I was not able to be in Washington but I joined in the prayer and repentance as I helped my lovely wife do a craft show in Middlebrook. Surrounded by Civil War reenacters it wasn't too hard to get in the mood. Across the aisle from us was a Confederate camp and they were cooking a rather delicious smelling meal on their campfire. When I remarked that that was richer fare than my Great Grandfather would have eaten in camp they pulled out the hardtack and cracked corn that most of the men actually ate. "I don't think there are many of us who could live like that today," the reenactor remarked. He was camping there with his family.
Our first challenge, I fear, is to learn to PRAY like our forefathers. [1.] [2.] [3.]
Learn More About the National Day of Prayer [click to read].
With respect to this line:
ReplyDelete"...is to learn to PRAY like our forefathers. "
How do you suppose our founding fathers (yes, I'm American) prayed, given the fact that most of them were deist? As you know, deists believe in a creator G-d, but not a G-d that communicates with humans.
Perhaps you meant to refer to the Puritans, who, incidentally, were too "pure" for the Reformed English Church?
Just something to chew on. I really don't have a stake in any of this, but your post got me thinking about our founders and all that.
Cheers.
The problem is that if you read their actual writings, even Benjamin Franklin assents to Christian tradition more than you would suspect.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at the actual words of the founders themselves you will find plenty of evidence of prayer and faith. I will cover that history more extensively in a future post.
Learn more about The Faith of Our Founding Fathers [click to read].
ReplyDelete