An article written by editorialist Cal Thomas expresses some interesting thoughts concerning the controversy over the National Day of Prayer. Here are some excerpts:The Freedom From religion foundation, a group of atheists and agnostics based in Madison, Wis., filed a lawsuti asking Judege Barbara Crabb to order the government to cease from its annual National Day of Prayer proclamation. Last week, Judge Crabb ruled in the group's favor . . . . Presidents have exhorted the nation to pray since George Washington. During the Civil War Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation as the request of Congress for "a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer" . . . .
Atheists and agnostics have sought to erase "In God We Trust" from our money and eliminate the chaplain offices in the House and Senate. So far they have been unsuccessful, but give them time. As American secularists challenge our declining religious sense they can expect greater success. Are these court rulings the result of our moral decline, or its cause? Politically, presidential prayer proclamations are no more significant than those for national pickle week . . . .
The larger question is: What difference does a national day of prayer make? Does every American pray on that day? If so, to which God? There are many faiths in America, including non-theistic ones. Does a presidential proclamation aim to ask such people to pray to these gods? And if it does, then the entire exercise is meaningless. Sending letters to the same person at diffent addresses would mean that most aren't delivered. . . .
Theologically, this matters Politically it shouldn't. It is of no concern to me if this president, or any president, issues prayer proclamations. I can pray, or not, without government encouragement.
Does it matter to God? Only if our prayers result in changed behavior. Should God be expected to bless a nation that tolerates, even promotes, so much evil?
Perhaps instead of a proclamation for a day of prayer, the president should consider reverting to Lincoln and part of his proclamation that concerned "humiliation," repentance and a plea for forgiveness. According to Scripture, that is a prayer God always hears.
I believe it is time for a National Day of Repentance. It should start with the pulpit, spread to the pews and make it's way to all the people. Only then, will our nation be healed!
