Well, I don’t think that people ‘whacked Bush’ for asking to BE an instrument of God’s will. It was for claiming he already WAS an instrument of God’s will.
Other than that, as an atheist, don’t really consider myself a good source for ‘prayer critique’.

I wonder if the prayer was written by Mr. Obama or his speech writer. He had to be aware that there was a possibility that the prayer would be taken by someone.

I can’t believe that someone would accuse a person of having his speechwriter place a prayer in the Western Wall ? What is this world coming to that even a prayer has to be scrutinized? Cheryl R., you should be ashamed of yourself. Maybe, just maybe, the prayer came from Mr. Obama’s heart..Maybe just maybe this person whom liberals call too centrist and conservatives call too liberal is just a soul trying to serve God the best he can according to his gifts and his lights. And my guess is that Mr. Mc Cain is trying to do that as well. The psalmist asks God to “harden not our hearts”–Cheryl R., look to Scripture, meditate on those words and try to open your heart to the grace that will help you see that not all politicians are calculating and Godless…

Dear JVK,
I think you misunderstood me. No way do I approve of what happenned, and I not not accusing Mr. Obama of anything. I am just stating that the reality is that anyone in the public spotlight is aware that he or she is always being watched. Sure its quite possible that the prayer came straight from his heart. I am so shocked by your harsh reaction to my post. Please read your message aloud while looking in the mirror at yourself. Practice what you preach, sir or madam.

I think the prayer is pretty generic. I think Obama assumed someone would read it.
On the matter of removing it from the wall and publishing it. I though this was something you didn’t do. Or is it ok because he isn’t jewish and he is a political figure. I feel it should never have been read and published.

I don’t know care at all for Obama’s politics … but it was unconscionable for a college student to swipe Obama’s prayer request from the Wailing Wall …. and for a newspaper to publish it. I completely agree with that rabbi who said it was a violation of Barack’s relationship with God.
As to the prayer itself, I think it’s fine. It sounds like the prayer almost any normal believer would leave for the consideration of the Almighty.
Of course, liberals or the media won’t pester Obama about this the way they did Bush 43. The media suffers from bias and countenances a double standard. The MSM refuses to do anything about it, which is why no one on the right feels sorry when they hear about declining revenues at places like the New York Times.
If there are any media ombudsmen out there (the guy on CNN who hosts “Reliable Sources” comes to mind), they should investigate the behavior of the newspaper that published this private note. Shame on them for doing so!! I’ll be curious to see what Terry Mattingly (on the “Get Religion” blog) has to say about this.
Steven Waldman, keep up the great work!!

Quick question for anyone to answer:
Are the “Wailing Wall” and the “Western Wall” different names for the same place … or are they different places. In my post of 2:29 PM, I kept referring to the place as the “Wailing Wall” but now I notice that the news stories referred to the “Western Wall.”
Would appreciate some kind guidance on this matter. Note: I’ve never been to Jerusalem.

It’s a fine prayer.
1. Why would a seminary student steal his prayer? Wouldn’t he of all people know that’s a no-no? Wouldn’t someone see him?
2. Why didn’t that student try to make any money off of it? He sent it to multiple newspapers, one didn’t print it, so I assume he just alerted a few news sources saying “lookey here”.
3. “”"”"
“These posters were his campaign and not the doing of the police,” said Rosenfeld, whose police department coordinated security and provided protection for Obama’s visit today to the holy site.
….
“The kids waiting for Obama may not even be Obama supporters. No one knew Obama was coming in advance. We saw the police barricades erected. We saw Obama’s face on the posters, and some police said Obama was on his way. So a few people gathered by the barricades and waited for Obama,” said the witness.
“”"”"”
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=70454
4. Obama likes to keep above the dirt, but his campaign team is one of the dirtiest ever. There is a war for media and I wouldn’t put it past his campaign to leak this.

It’s a fine prayer.
1. Why would a seminary student steal his prayer? Wouldn’t he of all people know that’s a no-no? Wouldn’t someone see him?
2. Why didn’t that student try to make any money off of it? He sent it to multiple newspapers, one didn’t print it, so I assume he just alerted a few news sources saying “lookey here”.
3. “”"”"
“These posters were his campaign and not the doing of the police,” said Rosenfeld, whose police department coordinated security and provided protection for Obama’s visit today to the holy site.
….
“The kids waiting for Obama may not even be Obama supporters. No one knew Obama was coming in advance. We saw the police barricades erected. We saw Obama’s face on the posters, and some police said Obama was on his way. So a few people gathered by the barricades and waited for Obama,” said the witness.
“”"”"”
wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=70454
4. Obama likes to keep above the dirt, but his campaign team is one of the dirtiest ever. There is a war for media and I wouldn’t put it past his campaign to leak this.

Reaganite: the Wailing Wall and the Western Wall are the exact same thing.

You’re using Obama’s private prayer to God as a means to divide Christians along political lines?
Shame on you, but you know that.

I’m with Billy. Stop using religon as a political tool. Our founding fathers knew the 2 are separate.

Praying at the Wall is an incredible experience. Most likely, the prayer was a compilation of Obama’s personal thoughts, recommendations of his advisors, and St, Francis of Assisi (“Lord, make me an instrument of peace on earth…”) I think it is disgusting that a prayer of any kind from anyone was taken from the Wall. That is a desecration of the Wall itself. Shame on the college students wo took advantage. Any prayers left at the Wall are between the individual and G-d. However, Obama most likely suspected that somehow some would grab it and have it published.
I forget if the students were paid for the note. If they were, they are not only desecrators but ganifs. SHAME!
p.s. Did Obama were a yamulke? A tallis? A fringed undershirt? A fur hat and black coat? Did he daven?

Mike: “Stop using religion as a political tool. Our founding fathers knew the 2 are separate.”
Are you addressing these comment towards Mr. Obama, the candidate who promises to increase federal funding for “faith-based” programs — along with increasing the political strings that will be attached to that funding? And whose campaign is targeting evangelical voters with the kind of energy and scope not seen by a Democratic Presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1976?
As to the Founding Fathers, they never instituted a so-called “separation of politics and religion.” That’s the stuff of urban legends. Rather, they insisted (rightly) on a separation of church and state. There’s a whole world of difference between nixing the idea of an official state-sponsored religion and trying to keep God and prayer and faith out of public institutions.
Besides, none of this has anything to do with Steve’s original post … which dealt with the incorrigible behavior of a newspaper in printing the private prayer which a visiting U.S. Senator (and Presidential candidate) left at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

It really makes no difference who puts a prayer into the Wall…famous or non-famous…no one has the right to take it out. It is a sacred location and the prayers that are inserted into it should be known only to the author and his/her God.
It was totally wrong and disrespectful for the person who removed it to do so. AND the paper that didn’t have the courtesy to not print it obviously has no respect for the tradition of privacy about the Wall either. At least one paper refused to print it.

Last question of the article, what do we think of the prayer? It isn’t any different than any other prayer I’ve heard or read. The problem wasn’t with the prayer, but the rudeness of the person who took it out of the wall.

The prayer sounds sincere to me. I do agree that it was innappropriate to remove it& give it to the media. Kudos to the paper who had the decency not to print it.

“Give me wisdom…..”
Its not the liberals that will whack Obama for this statement, It will be the Religious Right for Obama’s presumption of God’s wisdom in his life. They will see it as heresy.
They think they have a lock on it. They are the chosen ones of God’s reason and rule.
I think Obama prayer should have been kept private, but sense it was published, I see more clearly that he has a humble spirit trying to stay above the fray but not quite succeeding.

This is for “Reaganite” :
The media has done nothing but parse every word Sen. Obama has uttered since he began his race for the White House. Even today clowns like Rush Limbaugh have made fun of Sen. Obama and his use of the phrase “Citizen of the World” ( used also by Pres. Reagan..among others)…Scott McClenathan admitted today that the Bush White House used Fox News as its talking head. I think there have been biases on both “sides”.
Sen. Obama has not excoriated Sen. Mc Cain the way the Republicans ( and Mc Cain) have done to him–smear campaigns, false e-mails about his religion, etc. Why isn’t the media going after Mc Cain’s religious beliefs ? The fact that he left his wife to pursue Cindy seems to be overlooked in the “Christian values” discussion.And yet, if Sen. Obama had done the same thing , FoxNews, et al. would have been down his throat. I always believed that Christians should treat each other with respect and that our role is not to destroy our opponent but to show ourselves to be fair and trustworthy. I am waiting for Sen. Mc Cain to drop the neo-con method of destroy and conquer and to adopt an approach which will help us all to see whether he can capably lead our one nation under God.

“Kudos to the paper who had the decency not to print it.”
Unfortunately Beliefnet did not have similar decency. Not surprising, given who the new owner is.
Steven, to publish the prayer someone left in the Wailing Wall, to “fisk” it as you say, is as low as I think you can get. Between what has been happening with Dreher and Reformed Chicks and now this…sorry, I’ve had enough.

I am not an Obama fan but do think he has been unjustly exploited in the publishing of his prayer..People who would use this as an instrument to critize him is not showing a Christian attitude..I am not surprised….Americans have hit a new low in morals…Politics is a dirty game…I am truly sorry his prayer was used against him…
It is sad the media has fallen so low…

Wilma,
I am an Obama fan, but I agree wholeheartedly with you ! What has happened to the America I love so much that mena and women can’t seem to win elections without sinking so low as to steal prayers, spread lies and try to put fear in the hearts of Americans…You are right–what has happened to the morals of this country ?

What a disgusting piece of anti-christian trash you people are. Stealing and criticizing a man’s prayer.
That is beneath despicable.

You should be deeply ashamed of yourself for abetting this theft.
I’m no fan of Obama, but this is clearly out of bounds.
What is wrong with you.
Perhaps you need to spend sometime in contemplation of the log in your eye.

I think that it is seriously inappropriate for someone to take Obama’s personal prayer, and then, for a any type of media outlet to publish it.
But then I also believe that Obama did that as a show. His entire trip has been a circus to grab attention. Everything he’s done has been done so that everyone would see the fabulous Barack Obama in all his glory. I believe that he was counting on it getting removed and published. It wouldn’t suprise me if the entire thing was orchestrated.
I certainly don’t know the condition of Obama’s soul, or his personal spirituality, but he really doesn need God’s help in some of those areas he prayed about, such as “pride.” His over-inflated ego and sense of self-worth certainly need God’s hand. And is Obama going to follow God’s leading when God instructs him to get rid of Roe v. Wade and shows him that it’s just plain murder? Is he going to have the guts to do that?
Much to America’s shame, I certainly do believe that he will become our next President. Maybe the prayers at the Western Wall should be for US, and not him.

hey Steve,
Remember ? Mc Cain goaded him into going–Remember ??? Who are you to determine what Obama needs spiritually ? Do you know him ? And speaking of Roe v. Wade ..What have your wonderful conservatives done to overturn that ??? Reagan with his Republican Congress ??? His Supreme Court appointments ??? Funny Roe v. Wade is still on the books ..What about Bush 41 ? or Bush 43 ?? What did either of them do to reverse legalized abortion ?? After 9/11 W. could have asked for John the Baptist’s head on a plate and gotten it..Why didn’t he do more to end legalized abortion ?
Talk is cheap, Steve…And the cheapest, nastiest talkers are the Neo-Cons–Pride ?? I think Mc Cain, Bush, Rove, Cheney, et al. need to look in there own souls, too.
I hope you are never in a position to have someone analyze any prayer you send up to God–( Remember the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican ??)

Larry, this has nothing to do with being anti-Christian. And who are you referring to when you say “you people?” This was a publicity stunt and I agree with Steve’s comment that the whole thing was probably orchestrated. The person we should be condemning is the college student who removed the prayer from the Wall. That is sacreligious in and of itself. The editor who decided to publish it should also be castigated.

Should it have been published? No, a new low it seems to me.
From what I have read, he comes from a background that stresses a personal relationship with God — and what he wrote was very personal. Too bad it didn’t remain that way.

I think it shows the very values that should matter to america Family,Strength,Wisdom this is a prayer i could see any american making to any diety christian or otherwise to me it seems the very typical prayer but one thats speaks leaps and bounds for his character and morality note he did not ask for victory in the election or sucess of any kind or fame or glory he asks to protect his family and to guide him in his life what more or less would you have expected from a man when he is praying? It was wrong to publish his prayer but it gives me hope for america to know that our values are present in a presidential canidate it would not have mattered to me if he is islamic hindu or wiccan if a prayer like this was made it would give me hope for a better future for all of us.

It’s amazing how many so-called Christians can be so nasty and judgmental. Look in the mirror! Most of you should be ashamed of yourselves. And you wonder why so many people are disgusted with religion these days. Just sad…

While it probably is hypocritical for someone claiming to be Jewish to print this prayer, I’m not Jewish, and I’m OK with discussing it–and isn’t this precisely the kind of prayer you’d want from your President? We can pray for ourselves, he can pray for himself. I don’t want my President handing off his duties upstairs or acting on the advice God uniquely speaks to him (like Bush), but I am comfortable with his praying for forgiveness and for his family. Unless you are an atheist, how on earth can you find fault with that?

How do we know Obama wrote the prayer? He didn’t sign it!

Hey, I’m an atheist and I don’t see anything wrong with it.
He didn’t say he WAS doing God’s will, or he even knew God’s will, etc. He didn’t proclaim it publicly, as if that were a campaign point, or to contrast that unique position (being the conduit of God’s desires) but put it in a private prayer where others did the same.
And THAT is a key difference.

To steal a man’s prayer is despicable. To publish it is equally despicable, but one can understand that a basically secular newspaper might give in to th t temptation. But for Beliefnet to put it up is just unbelievably crass. And that just as the debate on Crunchy Cons is about whether people who desecrate things others hold sacred should be fired …

I am embarrassed and ashamed that a personal prayer was stolen.

Another vote for shaming the theft, and not a little shame for the disingenuous “fisking” given here. Let a private matter be private. If we truly believe that we’re the good guys, saved by grace,let’s have the grace to act like it.

Christian would of put in the name of Jesus so I think he knew it would be read and didn’t want to offend anyone as most fake (christian’s) would do. He’s not real a real Christian but wants to use it to his benefit. Either say I’m a Christian and live by what Jesus said or be a hypocrite like he is.

You published it.

Nobody has any damned business presuming to fisk another’s prayer. And nobody has any damned business presuming to attribute base motives to another. And I don’t have any damned business reading unmitigated horses##t like this hideous blog. First time and last time for me. And may God have mercy on your smug and shriveled soul, Steven Waldman.

As an athei/gnostic, I thought, first, that it was indeed a violation, not just of privacy rights, but of just plain damned common decency for the kid to have swiped the Senator’s prayer. But the prayer itself just shored my support for this good man. The poster who wrote on here that because he didn’t write “Jesus”, Obama knew his prayer would be published. First of all, in my pre-illuminated period when I actually accepted some of the religious cookooism, I remember that the character of Jesus in the New Testament taught his followers to pray to the Father, not to him. Second, having been there, I can only say that it seems so sacreligious to have your prayer stolen, I can’t fathom it entering someone’s mind.
PTR

Has anyone reported how soon after Obama left that people were rumaging through the wall to find his prayer? Weren’t there any religious observers there to try and stop this desecration? It can’t help but make one wonder if this was another political ploy.

Remember Landstuhl!
Landstuhl is the name of the US army hospital in Germany that Obama had ORIGINALLY planned to visit in order to pay respects to our injured soldiers. But he cancelled the trip when he learned that he couldn’t take the media with him inside the hospital wards and film his gladhanding with these wounded heroes. It wasn’t enough for him to invest some of his personal time to simply greet and thank these soldiers. No, he wanted the visit filmed for the evening news and for use in his fall TV ads.
When we think of the Obama Summer Tour, let’s first remember the place he didn’t visit: Landstuhl. And then remember why. And then ask what this incident says about the character of this wannabe.
Remember Landstuhl!

You’re worse the a’hole who stole it in the first place. He, at least, didn’t make it public. He simply gave you the opportunity to make a poor decision, and you leaped on it. You should be ashamed.

To “Reaganite” :
Landstuhl was canceled because the Pentagon requested that it be so–they did not want the visit to become too political. Sen. Obama agreed.
Get your facts straight. Would you like anyone to secondguess your motives and in the process get them completely wrong. You would cry “Foul” and you’d be right.
Ease up and deal with real facts, not rancid pablum spewed from FOX News.

Dave,
Many Christians refer to Jesus as “Lord”…They did during Scriptural times and they do now.

Nothing justifies your decision to print a man’s personal prayer. This was between Barack Obama and the Lord. It should have not been printed. You are better than this. Maybe not. No, I don’t support him for President by the way.

I think it was a standard prayer that doesn’t need further scrutiny, AND needs to be returned to the place that he put it.

Question:
How do we know this was Mr. Obama’s prayer? Any hand writing experts around to verify this claim?
Until this note is proven to not be a forgery but a cleverly contrived attempt by unscrupuless promoters to deceive the masses I have to doubt its authenticity.
It would be like one person claiming that Jesus is God/man and rose from from the dead to save those who believe in HIM. That would be a preposterous incredulous claim and would be unbelievable if only one person saw Him.
My point is: Truth must be validated to be believable.

i bet he expected his prayer to be read.

It is obsurd to say what is wrong or right when it comes to prayer. You cannot match a percentage to prayer. Everyone is different. It does not make you a bad person if don’t pray for a stranger in every prayer.
How can we say he prayed wrong? George W. Bush is out there killing people and all you’re worried about is Obama praying for his family?
I cannot believe that this world has become so shallow that people think it is ok to publish someone’s prayer and then scrutinize it. No one in this world has any right to say anything about what was writen in that prayer note. That prayer was for Obama and his family and it was writen to the Lord himself.
This is obsurd, wrong and discusting. You people have no shame. You are all driven by greed and money. For the record, I’m not even a practicing Christian.

“Liberals used to whack Bush for making comments like this.”
But he wasn’t making a comment, was he? He was praying to his god.
You think it’s okay to steal prayers to god and make them available on the Internet, huh? What would Jebus think of that?

I think we need to trust that he meant what he said, that he is truly seeking the Lord Jesus Christ, and that whoever God is raising up to be our next president in these times of peril, he will need many prayers every moment of every day. Let’s start praying for Senator Obama and also for Senator McCain, and let’s pray for the United States of America!

Steve Waldman,
Thanks, but no thanks for this post. I must confess that I’m totally disappointed w/ this post of yours. Not only did you publish Obama’s prayer, you even went on to analyze the prayer line-by-line. This is not good and I hope you will desist from such downing activities. You can root for your candidate, but please don’t destroy the other candidate, while rooting for yours. It is unfortunate that our political climate as defined by Karl Rove and George W. Bush is more personalized than issue-rized. In what way has this post contributed to the reduction of gas cost, the home foreclosures, etc. All our politics do these day is find faults in people and put the core issues plaguing Americans in the back burner. This is pathetic -
Obama is not Jesus, he is as flawed as anyone of us as depicted in his prayer. That’s why I am voting for him. I will be surprised if he is so clean w/o issues. For those who wants a perfect and experienced president, look where the experienced and perfect president/candidates Bush/McCain have taken us to – Today, we have home foreclosures, economy almost in a recession, a war in IRAQ that cost about $12billion a month, we are now in debt and borrowing money from China, etc. I strongly believe
we are the smartest nation on earth, but seems to me we lack the talent to choose a good leader and articles and post like these simply vindicates my position.

I must say that I am really ashamed of this post. Since when did it become right to publish someones prayer and go through it sentence by sentence scrutinizing the prayer?
“Forgive me my sins”
For all the talk about the social justice emphasis of Obama’s theology (fueled here), he consistently speaks in terms of personal sin (and salvation). Note he did not pray for world peace or an end to poverty. He prayed for personal redemption.
Sure call him a flip flopper.
I’m really really ashamed of this post.

talking about over analyzing!
Give the guy a break!!!

I personally think Obama did this as a publicity stunt, knowing fully well some idiot wanting his name in the press would steal it and get it published. Obama may pray but that is a generic prayer, anyone could have written it. Don’t trust Obama, don’t trust democrats either.

@Barny Ardmare,
Is there anything Obama does that makes sense to your type. If he had prayed differently you would have attacked him. Now he prays for his family and wisdom and you say it publicity stunt, Steve challenged Obama for asking for forgiveness of sins by saying: “Note he did not pray for world peace or an end to poverty. He prayed for personal redemption.” How exactly do your type people analyze issues? All that Obama does is fraud, stunt, etc. But if it were McCain’s it’s OK and fine. It was for this very reason that I left the Republican Party after 20 years of being a loyal Republican. Until we stop looking at issues from a party perspective and start being objective in our dealings, we will not make the fundamental progress as a nation we crave for. It’s amazing that in the United States of the 21st Century, he are still struggling with gothic prejudices and will not re-orient our thought patterns to take up the challenges of the millennium… This is pathetic, but also very troubling…

It is very disheartening to see “anyones” prayers made public. However, seeing it analyzed line by line…is beyond comprehension. I Am very disappointed that something so personal was approved for posting.

Can’t the man simply pray? Good grief! Talking about who not to trust…
Isn’t Bush a republican? Lol! He’s sure not a democrat. crack me up saying don’t trust democrats. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Obama has a right to pray if he wants to. What about the other millions of Jews from all over the world who pray at that wall? Are they praying for publicity too? A true relationship with God will be public at times. I believe his prayer was short, sweet, and sincere.
See but these prayer haters don’t understand a concept like that because they’d rather support and jeff with an idiot who almost sent our country into a second great depression! He’s got our soldiers dying for this nations thieveries, he’s got our economy screwed up, and his “ban oil drilling in america plan” has gas prices through the roof! Out with, and in with a change!
On the behalf of Obama, don’t hate, congradulate!
Bigg Shepp

Steve, if this is how Christians behave with other Christians, I have only one thing to say.
Thank heavens I’m not a Christian. I never have been, and after seeing how so many Christians behave today, there is no freakin’ way I would ever want to be one.
If there is a God, and if he is as mean as the Bible says he is towards hypocrites, y’all are in a world of hurt. And if this is how a Christian gets into heaven, I’d rather go to hell and stay there.

I wonder what power does to a person.
It seems as if this prayer is addressing the issue of power.
Wasn’t Obama meeting with powerful people? Hasn’t he found that many people here and abroad see him as a catalyst for change and renewal of the American presidency?
Hmmmm….I think I would be praying too.
Praying for protection. For a pure heart. For a clear mind, wisdom, a right attitude. For love of mercy and just action and a humble walk with my God.
Obama’s prayer is a prayer of humility.
His prayer was stuck in a the Western Wall, holy place. It should have remained there.
Who is in the wrong? The man who prayed the prayer and placed it in a sacred place–though that prayer was removed and put on public display–or those of us who have read the prayer, thus condoning an act of spiritual sacrilege by a media that chose to print it?
In this case, is the public’s right to know more important than the candidate’s right to privacy? I think not. In fact, this prayer is not a political issue per se. It is not our issue. It is neither partisan nor bi-partisan. We remember what prayer is, right? We remember what religious freedom is, correct? (It does not matter where we Americans are in this world; our beliefs in our freedoms are constant.)
This is a faith issue…a prayer written by Obama, a matter between him and God. Let’s end our part in the issue. We have no part in in. Unless, of course, we are not patriots.

We are not to judge one another’s faith committment and sincerity; God will do that from our heart and true motives. I only pray that this prayer was actually a heartfelt prayer and not part of Obama’s overall political image trying to establishe that he is a Christian not Muslem, that his team is despartly trying to create. With all the publicity, coverage, and personal interest about his every move on this trip, there is no way he could expect this prayer to be kept in secret. It’s the same as writing in a diary all the time being aware that eventually other eyes will see. Personally, I am praying for Obama, Pastor Peggy

I think Steve Waldman should be praying “forgive me my sins” for being such a piece of crap as to publish and analyze a man’s prayer.
Really – don’t you have ANY standards or ANY decency?

The Wall is a sacred place for people all over the world. Who would go there and not leave their prayer? Just because Barak Obama is a presidential candidate does not exclude him from mankind and a need to share experiences that millions of others have experienced. His prayer is not unique….I am sure that countless others have said the same thing. If the name Obama were not attached to this note it could be the prayer of anyone in the world. In fact…I will go as far as to say…that his prayer can be shared by many who will never have the opportunity to be blessed enough to go to the great Wall. I personally feel bad that his privacy was violated however…his prayer is just what I would have expected from him. He is a good man (as are many other politicians)…what is wrong with that?

Isn’t this a website of faith, religion, and inspiration? What gives you the right to judge? Why are you invading Mr. Obama’s privacy and scrutinizing his prayer to God? You are no better than the news media or the person who stole the prayer.
Let’s look at this at a different angle. If he asks God to guide him to do what is RIGHT and JUST, won’t that affect his leadership if he becomes our new president? Asking for protection of his family shows that he has his priorities in order….GOD…FAMILY…WORK. What gives you the right to judge his prayer intentions as being selfish?
I have not even decided who I will vote for in November, so I am not writing this because I am Democrat or Republican. I am writing this because I think this article is hypocritical. How sad.

Well the content of the prayer is superior to the content of Jeremiah Wright’s sermons. I woud care much more about a violation of privacy in ths case if it was a payer offered in private. This was done in a photo op. Most pople who leave prayers in the Western Wall in fact do it in private. Mr. Obama is a politician first and foremost and in a presidential campaign does what politician’s do- pander for votes, even while supposedly in prayer.

[Isn’t this a website of faith, religion, and inspiration?]
The problem is that beliefnet is now owned by Rupert Murdoch, a man who worships Mammon, and who HAS no genuine beliefs, beyond fattening his own wallet.
You can’t serve God and Mammon.

Paula wrote: “How do we know Obama wrote the prayer? He didn’t sign it!”
Do you sign your name to your prayers? Does God not know you?
There is a particular standard and no decency on this site. Since BeliefNet was sold to Murdoch, this site now leans to one direction most and it does not reflect the many ways people love and worship God.

Pastor Peggy D. Farris: “Personally, I am praying for Obama, Pastor Peggy”
Pastor Peggy, I am with you on this all the way. I am praying for Obama … and voting for McCain.

I am also voting for McCain.

Mr. Obama: Who Lord are you referring to? Is it the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jabob?

I pray that Mr Obama was indeed praying to the GOD that I serve, Who is the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, as the scripture so states. Even though, that was an invasion of his PRIVICY. And YES! I will vote for Senator Obama.

Shame on you for publishing Mr. Obama’s private prayer on this web site.
I believe that we need to “fisk” you and your intentions to scrutinize a personal message between a human being and his creator.
regards,
Patrick A.

It is beyond sad when a person’s prayer is taken and “fisked”..especially by Beliefnet. Unbelievable! Is it wrong to
ask God for forgiveness of sins? Isnt that the primary premise of Christianity?…I found it to be proof of humilty, to acknowledge that one has sin, is not perfect, and is seeking to be an instrument of God..instead of oh, say, the Republican or Democratic Parties.
Shame on Beliefnet for going so low. I would have expected this a lot of places, but Never, Never, Never Beliefnet.com

It’s a shame when your own personal prayers aren’t personal anymore. I hope the guys that took the prayer off the wall have enough respect (at least for the Lord) to put it back.

elizabeth santos
“Mr. Obama: Who Lord are you referring to? Is it the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jabob?”
elizabeth santos, God doesn’t enjoy this type of behavior.

Which God is he referring to? Even the terrorists who flew the planes into the trade center thought they were acting for GOD.

So, I guess you are trying to imply that the Lord (God) is something different for Obama than everyone else. Shame on you!

I believe most people who are even remotely familiar with Judaism, Israel and the Western Wall, would know that all people who write a prayer to insert in the Wall’s crevices expect that the prayer is between him/her and God, and NOT for publication.
I expect more of Beliefnet than this; I’ve been using Beliefnet for a long time, and this is the first time I’ve been disappointed in you for something you’ve published. What’s worst is that you didn’t even ask Mr. Obama’s permission to publish it. I’m sure he knows what you’ve done by now, and he deserves a public apology on your site!

So often we strike out at others when we should be looking into our own hearts and souls for God’s guidance. I don’t know if the said circumstances around this “prayer note” are true or, for that matter, if it’s from Obama.
However, assuming this “prayer note” is from Obama, one thing is clear. I am all the more confirmed that my vote this year is for Obama to be the President of the United States of America. I can relate to someone who, inspite of their current and potentially monumental title, has the WISDOM to turn to God for direction.
In Jesus Christ’s name, thank you GOd, for a positive change.
YES WE CAN

In continuing to read the comments, I am surprised by the need to find someone to slash out at. I am not concerned if Mr. Obama’s light has shown him aspects of God from a slightly different hew than mine. I think of God (if I may use a metaphor) like a beautiful cut diamond. Depending on where you are standing and the amount of light around you, you are going to pick up some absolutely awesome brilliance from the diamond that I myself might only glimpse or even perhaps never see.
We have the freedom of religion in this country, and I think while we may be zealous for our own, we must also be zealous for the right of others to believe as they will. If we cannot stand together on that basic American tenet, we are in trouble, I fear, as a country.
I agree that the prayer should be replaced in the wall out of respect.
I believe it should have stayed in the wall out of respect, and, regardless of how it was removed from the wall or for what reason, it should not have been printed for the same reason–respect of one’s privacy.
Surely, if the prayer were posted for purely political reasons, Mr. Obama, who is a very motivational and inspirational speaker, could have written a more moving prayer–one that would have shaken the heavens and the earth, but, no, it really was rather basic. Some people are rather humble when looking into the “internal mirror.” I would think that would be especially true of public figures whose privacy might indeed be invaded.
As I posted earlier, it is not for us to judge, though we are having a ball, aren’t we? It is not our issue, but Obama’s and God’s.
Shalom. Peace be with you, now and forever.

I am disappointed that any publication would cater to the curious and publish a prayer that was inserted into the sacred wall.
That being said, I find it curious that the liberal left aren’t gnashing their teeth and tearing their robes that their annointed one has shown his faith. I can only imagine the jeers of derision had it been McCain caught with his prayers down.

Now to the point of the prayer itself. Sigh. It is so private and personal that it is kind of disgusting to even analyze it.
For those who don’t know here is the prayer Obama wrote and was stolen for publication.
“Lord–Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will.”
.. That is as good of a prayer as I’ve ever heard, does he have to pray for the country, our “allies” the democratic party etc to have a good prayer?
Besides, I would be far more worried about him being “An instrument of God’s will.” We could have a global genocidal flooding, or the massacre of innocent children or any of the other jealous, spiteful, aggressive and archaic things “God” does in the old testament.

This is the heartfel prayer of a husband and father and a believer . . . these being the highest calling and first concern in his life, and rightfully so! Amen

CAMPAIGN STUNT!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone needs prayer, it is OBAMA.

I read this as a sincere Christian prayer. I hope this forever lays to rest all that nonsense about Obama being a closet Muslim. Evidently, Obama intended his prayer to remain private (e.g., he did not sign it). But I believe whatever that college student or the newspaper may have meant for “evil”, God meant for good. God allowed us a glimpse into Obama’s otherwise private spiritual life. I am impressed by what I saw there. It is a beautiful prayer, and I’m tempted to print it on T-shirts! Jesus said that whoever acknowledges Him before men, He in turn acknowledges before his Heavenly Father. Obama has acknowledged Jesus before all of America (by openly proclaiming his Christianity); and God has now answered, by acknowledging Obama before the world (and from His holy land of Israel, no less!).

Okay. There is absolutely no comparison between Mr. Obama having a personal prayer and Bush stating publicly that god asked him to invade Iraq. I mean, c’mon people! Let the man have a bit of peace. And, by the way, the difference between him and so many on the other side of the aisle is that he honestly acknowledges that he does sin. Can you imagine how different the last 8 years would’ve been had Bush and Cheney honestly repented for all their wrong-doing? Although I can understand their not doing so, as life in prison can be difficult.
A+ for Obama. Down with those who use religion as a tool to achieve political success.
Steve
P.S. I’m not religious, although I consider myself a spiritual person.

It is almost certain Obama planned for the release of this note, and it is quite likely he had help writing those words. He used the hotel stationary in lieu of a nondescript piece of paper, to ensure there could be no doubt of where the note came from. I’m surprised he didn’t sign it, “your humble servant, Obama”.
Brilliant campaign strategy though, I have to say. Obama has come off as the most arrogant candidate in years, and look what we have here. Oops, it’s a secret prayer to God asking for help dealing with his humility problem. It was also “accidentally” released to the public for all to see. To top it off, now the press can make Obama look like the victim. How impossibly convenient.
A stunt like this is incredibly insulting to this sacred tradition, and for Obama to use this for his own political gain makes me sick. Every single dealing Obama has with religion can be traced back to politics.
Candidates tend to reflect a common thread among the people, and as such, Obama is punishment for OUR OWN arrogance as a nation. Maybe enough people will realize this and what it means before it is too late.

“God allowed us a glimpse into Obama’s otherwise private spiritual life.”
You see, it’s statements like that which really make me fear for our nation. People are literally beginning to think Barack Obama is God’s choice for president. You are more willing to believe that God’s hand was behind this incident, rather than the absolutely typical urge of men to rule over others. Do you see what I mean about our ARROGANCE? When we discard our skepticism, we can allow into office the worst kind of despicable politicians. Obama represents the pinnacle of dishonesty and arrogance, and hopefully that is the extent of his corruption. But we won’t really know, will we? The arrogant media believes no harm can come of it. The arrogant people treat the presidential election like a little game, who cares if he has no experience and no plan? And yes, even those speaking out against Obama are falling into the false comforts of arrogance. “The pendulum always swings back the other way”, they are fond of saying. Swing the pendulum too hard though, and it will snap and be lost for good.
Obama is a run-of-the-mill politician who is clearly NOT afraid of God. This little incident I’m sure is going on his “permanent record” so to speak. This and Obama’s opposition of the Born Alive Infant Protection Act are going to be tricky questions to answer in the afterlife. I’m sure they won’t give him a pass up there like the media have done down here.
Just calling things like I see em folks. Can’t apologize for what I believe, and I’m not going to start just because you have a sacreligious belief that Obama is the second coming.

I think there’s a huge difference between (privately) asking God to make you an instrument of his will and (publicly) professing to be an instrument of God’s will.

I THINK THAT WHAT SENATOR OBAMA WROTE TO GOD IS PERSONAL AND NO I DO BELIEVE THAT HE THOUGHT FOR ONE MINUTE THAT ANY ONE WOULD STEAL FORM THE HOUSE OF THE LORD IF THEY WILL KILL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD PEOPLE HAVE NO SHAME FOR WHAT THEY DO IN THIS WORLD TODAY. PEACE TO THE FOOL THAT DID THIS TO HIM IT WAS TO GOD. YOU NUT.

I think it is disgusting that the sanctity of the Kotel (Western Wall) was breached by the college student. I am sure on Judgment Day G-d will discipline him.
It also saddens me that the newspaper reported it.
A persons personal communication with HaShem is not supposed to be broadcast to the world.
Barack Obama had every right to expect privacy in his kvittle (prayer request) at the Kotel. I doubt he supected that a college student in Israel would desecrate a sacred and holy place.
An unborn fetus is not a life. Jewish Law for the last 4000 years has recognized a life is not a life until it takes it’s first breath or the breath of life.Abortion is not considered Murder under the Torah (5 books of Moses) or under the Talmud.
I do not think Barack Obama is G-d’s choice for our president. I know that G-d did not choose George W. Bush. I also know that George W. Bush will answer to G-d on Judgement Day for all of the innocent lives he has caused to die in the last 8 years. I have no doubt G-d will judge Bush for not only the preventable deaths of the 9/11 victims but also for the Coalition forces killed in his war on terror and for the innocent women and children that have been murdered.

I doubt that G-d has a choice for president I doubt George W. Bush communicated with G-d during his presidency
I doubt that G-d has chosen John McCain a many who has committed adultery and who has abandoned his wife to be the next president either
Although I do not believe G-d has chosen Barack Obama to be president, as I do not believe G-d is meddling in U.S. Politics, I do believe that Barack Obama is the right choice for the presidency. And I have no doubt that Barack’s faith is honest and true
I do very much doubt that George W. Bush or John McCain believe in anything but themselves

I WILL NOT vote OBAMA .I don’t care for him AT ALL!
Plz listen to the Sean Hanity show.Mark Levin
http://www.seanhanity.com
http://www.themarklevinshow.com
and you will find out a lot of things.

Hi,
I am a 59 year old white woman.(Not that it should makes a difference in my opinion because of it)even though Obama is using the black card. By the way it is a joke for all the African Americans to say what he is doing for them as a black man. He is not a black man he is a mixed race of white and Nigerian.
I think the collage student should not have removed the prayer.How ever they could have just taken a picture of it.It was left in plain view and Obama new it would be seen.So he would not have put any thing that would hurt his campaigned any way.I think that the American people should find some way to let the news media know just how tired we are of all of their lies,so they can put him in office.More people need to read the Bible and see that he is the Antichrist and he can be stopped. The Bible is here for us to learn by and live by. We can change the out come of things instead of just saying (well that is how it is suppose to happen)so lets just sit and wait for it.
If this man becomes president of the (World, well at lest he thinks he will be.)Then we are in deep trouble. So thank you Sean for having your shows so people like me that try to find the truth have a good and reliable place to go. May God bless you and this wonderful UNITED STATES of America. We how ever need to keep it this way as long as we can.So that means keeping the Democrats out of the White House P.S. McCain needs to start talking on the same level as Obama. McCain, is so intelligent with his words that some of the people may not understand what he is saying. As Obama uses every day words. I noticed that on the debates.That is why a lot of the young people understand him . Any way that is my opinion and every one is entitled to one.(Well, At lest I think we can still have one in America.)Good luck and my GOD bless you.

Barack Obama’s prayer reveals the quality of his heart, His prayer was sincere and summed up Leadership’s strenths and weaknesses. We are grateful to GodAlmighty that Obama is not from the Black American tradition but is from the Immigrant African and White American tradition making him truly African American. He will be an instrument of God’s will by do “what is right and Just” that is the standard of God’s will; to be right and just. We thank that college student for stealing it out of the Western Wall for what was meant for mischief served goodness instead. Just as everything hurled against him during the Election will fail, why; because when YHWE is for you no one can prevail against you! Thank you for the opportunity to respond, one last note; in this modern time where information is literally at your fingertips it would behoove anyone who seeks truth to ascertain facts and not put yourself in the state of “IGNORANCE” for “IGNORING” facts and truth. Peace to ALL!

The student should not have swiped the prayer and the paper(s) should not have printed it. As far as Bush is concerned, I hope whoever is elected President doesn’t subject us repeatedly to his personal religious beliefs.

I DONT BELIEVE ANYTHING OBAMA SAYS. HE WAS CALLED CHARLITAN BY A FORMER SECRETARY STATE NOT COLIN POWELL. I CANT HELP THINKING THIS CONSPIRACY HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS A LONG TIME. HILLARY LOOKED LIKE A WINNER IN PRIMARY, WAS IT ACORN AND REST OF CHICAGO RADICALS WHO HATE THIS COUNTRY.THEY ARE ALL OBAMAS FRIENDS PROBABLY 4 YEARS AGO WHEN HE SPOKE AT DEM CONVENTION. WHAT REALLY ARE THEIR PLANS?, WHERE DID HE GET SO MUCH MONEY FOR CAMPAIGN. ARE WE IN FOR SOMETHING WORSE THAN 911? WHY IS MAINSTREEM MEDIA SO BIAS THEY ARE LIBERAQLS BUT I NEVER REALIZED THEY WERE SO LEFT WING IF DEMOCRATS GET THE 60 THEY NEED WE WONT HAVE A SAY IN OUR GOVT AND LIKE JOE THE PLUMBER WILL BE INVESTIGATED IF WE ASK ANY QUESTIONS. NAZI GERMANY, HERE WE COME

JOE BIDEN IS THE WORST CHOICE FOR VP HE STATED “HILLARY CLINTON IS AS QUALIFIED OR MORE QUALIFIED THAN I AM TO BE VP. LETS GET THIS STRAIGHT, SHE IS QUALIFIED, AND QUITE FRANKLY, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BETTER PICK THAN ME…I MEAN THAT SINCERELY. FROM NY DAILY NEWS 9/11/08. ALL MAINSTREAM MEDIA RAGS ON GOV PALIN, SHE HAS TAKEN MORE HITS THAN ANYONE RUNNING AND SHE TAKES IT GRACEFULLY. SHE IS MORE QUALIFIED THAN OBAMA, WHAT HAS HE EVER REALLY DONE EXCEPT SMOOTH TALK AND LIE ABOUT EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE AND WILL DO.WHY WONT HE RELEASE HIS COLLEGE THESIS? I READ MICHELE’S AND SHE IS A RACIST FROM THE WORD GO. IF HE GETS IN, GOD HELP THIS COUNTRY

Prayer is what everyone of us does, in moments of need. All religions even the so called ethiests. So Obama not being appologetic about his faith says alot and myself being a believer in God who answers prayer. Obama is now the President of US and all we can do is wait to see righteous, justice and God’s will prevail.
Obama could turn out to join the best thing that have happened to the world Ofcourse after Christ Jesus, then later then the likes of Mandela.
Obama, God bless you.

Waverly Jones, as he wrote above, is grateful that Obama is not of the the Black American tradition. What is wrong with being of the Black American tradition? What is wrong with being Black? It is almost always a sin to be of a certain color in America, especially Black.
Obama prayed a prayer like every Christian would pray. He is humbly asking God to search his heart. What is wrong with that? Just because he prayed for these specific things does not make him a wrong person, No one on earth is perfect. At least we have a president who is seeking God for guidance.
Now it is time for every Christians regardless of ethnic background or party affiliation to pray for Obama. God loves Obama just as He loves any of us. Let us stop with this divisive spirit that is of the enemy, Satan who comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

I pray for Obama.

I like this prayer. It could be prayed by anyone, on any day, for as long as anyone lives.

Obama is a humble man and submissuve man and also pray for God’s protection of his life and his family.
Obama More Grease To Your Elbow!

The wailing wall is an sacred place for the Jews. In the Old City of Jerusalem, a place of prayer and pilgrimage sacred to the Jewish people. It is the only remains of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, held to be uniquely holy by the ancient Jews. It was a wrong thing that the students did with the letter. After all Obama is also an human being, same as the common man.
http://www.whatisguide.net/0104-wailing-wall.html

Obama is a great person..
His Prayer at the Western Wall is a great…
He does every thing for the people..
I liked his prayer..