Obviously, another case of (exclusionary, discriminatory) Christians under attack!
Thousands of bigots donate millions of hours of their time to try to make this nation a more Christian country and all these ungrateful people expect that they should be included when they are not even Christians of the right flavor.
What next? Are we going to prevent School Boards from distributing free Bibles in schools?
While I am a tremendous believer in prayer….and, I pray countless times through out the day…..the National Day of Prayer has bothered me for years. I am so very glad that there are some groups now working to make it more inclusive.

Guess I’ll hop in my personal helicopter and go to Rev. Paul Fullmers prayer breakfast in Penn. for interfaith prayers. He’s going to read William Penn’s writings on tolerance. See you there pagansister, nnmns, JohnQ, recovering pentecostal, Alecia, eastcoastlady, jestrfyl, and windbender!
I sent this and as it was disappearing noticed I had taken out a whole line accidently. Then they said they were holding it for a check. Since that will take two days, I tried again.

I sent what was supposed to be funny to my friends, but I tried twice and they took it to check twice. Things aren’t funny when they aren’t timed right, so friends I tried.

My question is…why does the United States of American NEED a National Day of prayer anyhow?
May 1…great day for dancing around the May pole. Much more fun than praying.

Pagansister, amen. But with GWB in charge and McAgain charging, even prayer probably wouldn’t hurt. And with all the possible gods out there we should have as many different religions praying to as many different gods as possible.
I, too, am glad some people are complaining about this. Moderate and inclusive Christians desperately need to take their religion back. And the rest of us need to make ourselves felt.

This is all so silly. Anyone and everyone can pray any time any place they want to. A national day of prayer is for everyone. Because one group organizes its own people for prayer observances on that day does not mean the whole day has been “hijacked.” Get busy and organize your own day of prayer. It is a free country and you are free to organize prayer any way you want to. Don’t get upset because one group took the lead. Stop complaining and start organizing.
And I never thought I would see nnmns write that “we should have as many different religions praying to as many different gods as possible.” Will wonders never cease? Even atheists encouraging prayer on the national day of prayer. I have no problem with that.

I have thought, for decades now, that the National Day of Prayer was a publicity stunt by certain factions within the Church. There is nothing that even appears sincere about it.
This may seem remarkable, but I agree with Windsors Child on this one. In fact, I would encourage any group that feels left out to form their own Day of Prayer. An ecumenical Day of Prayer would be far more noteworthy than the same clan of old white guys in overpriced suits congratulating themselves on their piety. I would be willing to bet an ecumenical Day of Prayer would even get more press.
If all else fails, take a day, pray, kick back with your family, and enjoy a nice meal together. God smiles on those times. I think the over-organized under-conceived programs simply cause Divine gas attacks.

I’m an atheist. I’m a military veteran, my families military service extends to and includes the Revolutionary War. This day of prayer is exclusionary.
I’d like to see a “National Day of Reason”

Jews on First in itself is an adversarial name and they are indeed with their hostile intent on the attack also they open up peaceful Jews to counter attacks. It’s like fighting for nothing. Lord knows we have enough observances for Jewish events for this group to leave other groups who mind their own business alone. I’ve personally have been to National Day of Prayer lead by Jewish Rabbis with traditional Jewish music. Some people just spoil for fights.

Fellow Christians,
We wouldn’t much appreciate it if the White House endorsed and publicly observed a Muslim-centered day of prayer without also representing our faith. Yes, sometimes a nod is given to other groups, but by and large, this is an EVENT (not a religious observance) that excites conservative Christians because they get to be all center stage in the United States public sphere, a truly unholy motivation. Just see our Christian publications for clear evidence of this glee.
Again, our Christian faith does not need this. In fact, it is cheapened by such publicity-focused religious display. I see nothing whatsoever in the work of Jesus Christ that suggests that a Christian’s faith is helped by getting a government to endorse a big showy “day of prayer.” In fact, I recall something about closets when it comes to prayer and giving. As a Christian, I have long been troubled by EVENTS like “See You at the Pole” on campuses and the National Day of Prayer in our White House. It implies my deep faith is about show, about an “event,” about being seen and heard and having my religion get more recognition and endorsement than somebody else’s on the public stage. It sickens me.

Here in Kansas City a couple of years ago we had an “interfaith” Day of Prayer. The guest speker was a born again Christian who proceeded to rant against homosexuality and our godless nation. It resulted in a public outcry and rules of behavior have been imposed. In truth, most people don’t know when the Day of Prayer is and pay no attention.

You know, at the same time as the National Day of Prayer (which should be more inclusive, btw), I think we’re in desperate need for a National Day of Prayerful Action.
My Jesus, in Matthew 25, told us to go out and help the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those in prison. I’ll add to that: mentor the young person, teach the child, hug the aged, read to the blind, and a thousand more.
Remember that one of Christ’s main messages while he was here on Earth (beyond salvation) was that we shouldn’t sit around having breakfast and pat each other on the back. Nor was it, as a previous poster said, to take a day off and spend it with family and consuming a large meal (seems like that’s all Thanksgiving and Christmas are for most people anyway). It was to surrender ourselves and our desires and our pride and our sinful arrogance to His will for our lives. To take up our cross and follow Him. And along the way, to gather up the least, the last, the lost and the lonely, and show them the way as well.

Guess I’ll hop in my personal helicopter and go to Rev. Paul Fullmers prayer breakfast in Penn. for interfaith prayers. He’s going to read William Penn’s writings on tolerance. See you there pagansister, nnmns, JohnQ, recovering pentecostal, Alecia, eastcoastlady, jestrfyl, and windbender!
Henrietta, I am grateful and flattered to have been included. Thank you!

“Jews on First in itself is an adversarial name…”
Hoo, boy, here we go again.
Yet, why am I not surprised?
“…and they are indeed with their hostile intent on the attack…”
Hostile intent? Yeah, that’s right. Top thing on the charter is fomentation of riots and attacks on true God-fearing Christians. Watch out!!
“…also they open up peaceful Jews to counter attacks. ”
And that would be because….??
“…We have enough observances for Jewish events …”
Ummmmm….. Really? On a national level? Can you name one? What do you consider “enough”?
“…for this group to leave other groups who mind their own business alone.
“mind their own business?”
BU-WA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!
And just how does Jews on First stop the National Day of Prayer group from conducting its ongoing activities?

“See you there pagansister, nnmns, JohnQ, recovering pentecostal, Alecia, eastcoastlady, jestrfyl, and windbender!”
That would be great!

Clarence Jordan (was he Jimmy Carter’s pastor?) translated the beginning of Matthew 6 as follows:
“And when you pray, don’t be like the phonies. For they love to stand up and pray in church and at public occasions; so they might build a reputation as prayers. The truth is, that’s all they’ll get out of it. But you, when you pray, go to your bedroom, shut the door, and pray to your Father in private.”
For many years our local (suburban) Interfaith Council has held an inclusive event on the first Thursday of May. For a time, we were even listed on the Task Force’s website, but when the statement of faith was added, we parted ways.
I would affirm the sincerity of the folks in Colorado Springs. And they’ve done a good job promoting their project. It’s healthy, though, for others to call them on the game.

Jews on First is just another hostile group I am sure they are not backed by peace loving Jewish communities who see prayer as a harmless activity.

“Jews on First is just another hostile group I am sure they are not backed by peace loving Jewish communities who see prayer as a harmless activity.”
Have you visited their website? Did not seem like a hostile group to me. While not Jewish….I will probably donate next time I have extra money. I complete support everything I saw on their website.
Peace!

Henrietta:
What a great time it would be to join you, nnmns, JohnQ, Alicia, eastcoastlady, jestrfyl,and windbender. That would be so cool to meet all of them, and you. Great idea! The subject would be most timely.

Yeah I can see your money going to a anti-Christian pro homosexual group its in line with your philosophy.

Hmmm Pennsylvania – it’s still cold there. However, this sounds like a gathering of good friends who have never met. Well, my personal jet is in the shop, and I still can’t figure out how to handle the chopper. But if everyone else is going to be there, I will just have to take a bus.
Some day – some day — it would be a rollicking time to make all the orthodogs howl in protest!!!

It’s my helicopter, I fly it and you can pretend it’s a bus, jest.

Henrietta: We could certainly have a heck of a conversation on many subjects if all of us got together…that would be amazing.
Jestrfyl, it will be warm soon in PA…. really.

Henrietta-
Sounds like a great time!
I think cknuck in in CA now….you ought to bring him with you as you come east. And, before you head to FL for jestrfyl.
Peace!

And I thought carpooling was a hassle to schedule. Now we have to share private jets too! When will the sacrifices ever end!!

jestrfyl: “Now we have to share private jets too! When will the sacrifices ever end!!!
I thought part of being in a religion was to sacrifice once in a while. (: This could be yours for the year, sharing a private jet!

Anyway I have been to many National Day of Prayer events and they all have been wonderful if someone wanted to have their own all it would take is a little organizational skills and money and people who are interested in coming. Funny thing though you can find more people willing to attack other people then to organize one of their own. That’s the constructive nature of some people. They spend more time money and effort on the negative than to feed people or give them medication. We spent the whole weekend feeding the poor folk in our area and overseas clothing them and providing medication. If Jews on First took some of that effort they spend attacking on feeding and providing medication then they would be doing some good. Pleasant dreams.

cknuck-
If some appear to be attacking the organizers of the National Day of Prayer….perhaps it is because many feel as though they are not invited to the party.
To me, as a group evangelical fall into the same category as the Roman Catholic Church…..certainly they have both done great good….however, that has often been tarnished by the great harm they have and continue to cause to some of God’s children.
Peace!

ck,
I have to agree with you, in part. Rather than moaning that idea that your invitation was “lost in the mail”, why not simply begin another event in a different location. There is only benefit to a wider variety of these events – all help enhance the theory and intent of the day.

I’m clearly not invited to this party although I’m a military veteran. And my political party, the Republican party, is moving further away from me — because I’m an atheist.
So — this “National Day of Prayer” is not for all Americans.

Actually John I feel the whole evangilical thing might be a smear I attend and I know several Jewish and other groups who go and I’m not considered an evangelical at all. My worship is often considered rather still God’s frozen chosen. We are rather worshipful, quiet, and we don’t openly evangelize, Presbyterian don’t you know, but we are strong in the mission feilds. And I really don’t know what great harm evangelicals have done, they are just outspoken and disliked for their stand on the absolute nature of God.

ck,
I am with you as one of the frozen chosen, though we do laugh a bit in church. Nonetheless, as to our evangelical colleagues, often it is not even what they say but how they say it. I am not big on icky sweet lingo. But then, sometimes it IS what they say. Their expanded capacity for pride often outweighs the humility stored in their pockets. They favor the “just/really” prayers, you know what I mean, where they try to fake humility by measuring their prayers with “We just…” followed by “we really…” And they do get a bit arrogant in regards to anyone not like them.

Many people are upset about all the official proclamations. But have you read them (copies are scanned and posted on the National Day of Prayer Task Force Web site).
So many are so bland and generic they couldn’t possibly offend non-Christians ( http://blogs.pioneerlocal.com ).
But a handful go to great lengths to extend the invitation to people of all faiths and merely recognize a truth — many people find comfort in praying to a higher being.

What is “frozen chosen”?

ecl,
The frozen chosen is contemprary lingo for church folks who sit quietly and behave themselves – no outbursts or shouting, please – in their pews. Any little fuss or extra exhuberance is dismissed as too showy. The folks from Lake Woebegone would be among the frozen chosen, though we have plenty here in FL all ear too.

Jest, thank you. (*chuckle*)
I was thinking something totally different.

And I really don’t know what great harm evangelicals have done, they are just outspoken and disliked for their stand on the absolute nature of God.
Well, that’s exactly the point. There is no “absolute” nature of God, and having one (evangelical) perspective shoved down our throats and dictated to us as the “absolute” way to live our lives and potentially written into law is scary, arrogant, and insulting.