Must be because some years "Mormons" have been excluded in the organized events... (ha ha)
COLORADO SPRINGS - Organizers of this week's National Day of Prayer still don't know whether the White House will participate.
The event's evangelical character earned it a White House welcome during President George W. Bush's eight years in office. But Brian Toon, vice chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, says to date, there's been no mention of a White House observance being held this year.
According to an article this past week in the Colorado Springs Gazette, advocacy groups for so-called inclusive dialogue on faith in America are "trying to break what they perceive as the organization's monopoly on the event."
The newspaper went on to say that the "Interfaith Alliance and Jews on First sent a letter this month to President Barack Obama asking him to declare that the National Day of Prayer is for Americans of all faiths - and even for nonbelievers."
The Gazette also reports that "White House officials have not said whether the Obama administration will formally honor the prayer day." (Associated Press, reported by One News Now)
Monday, May 4, 2009
Day of Prayer?
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that's interesting...but not sure what I think exactly about it...we (me, juice and the kids) say our prayers every day, and most people that pray say their prayers...so not sure why a national day of prayers is needed...just say your own prayers and you're good! no reason to declare a day for it, I think.....I would never let a day pass w/out saying my prayers. And people that pray will pray whether or not there is a day declared for it.....but interesting....i don't like the idea of people telling you when to pray...you should pray when you feel like you need to pray, or want to pray... :)
ReplyDeleteI find the commentary interesting on these things. I think the idea of a National Day of Prayer, which is organized by the traditional Christian community (the reason "Mormons" have been excluded from some organized events) is to keep Christianity present in the public eye, similar to how other commemorative months, weeks and days are recognized. It focuses the attention, in this case, on the founding father's intent for this country and the goal is to keep the nation from becoming a Godless society. We are at risk as conservative ideas are ridiculed and laws protect special interest groups while hurting the moral majority, dictating to churches, etc. There is power in prayer and when many unite in a common cause pleading with God with great faith, miracles do happen.
ReplyDeleteTo me, anything that encourages people to do good and recognize God's hand is worth promoting. Also, prayer is often banned in the public setting; something that causes great alarm among God-fearing people. This is kind of a reminder of that right. They tried to deny Daniel the right to pray in public too.
That said, I agree, prayer should be continuous, in our hearts and in our homes, but reminding people who don't regularly pray can't hurt either. Sometimes in crisis, people turn to God.