I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life--Yeshua, Isa, Jesus, Jesus...
In so saying, Warren did two things at once: He threw down the gauntlet for sectarian prayers in the public square, and he attempted a little ecumenism by saying Jesus' name in the language of the world's three monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. (And also in Spanish, which is a dominant language of our land, and certainly of Warren's Southern California.)
I'm theoretically okay with sectarian prayers in the public square, though I think they should be foregrounded by clear acknowledgments that we're a pluralist country. Warren did this a bit--his "I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life" was a subtle testimony that didn't require everyone in earshot to pray in the name of the same god.
Admittedly, the prayer contains other references to an all-encompassing God of everything.
I loved that Warren ended with the Our Father. Yes, it's definitely a sectarian prayer, but it's also liturgical and communal--it was an invitation to pray along with Warren. I'm pretty sure that's the first time we've seen a communal prayer at the inauguration.
I was moved by Warren's prayer, but I'd love to hear from those of you who weren't, especially those who are not Christian. I sympathize with those who feel marginalized at times like this. When we have a president who is Jewish, Muslim, atheist, etc, I know I'll have misgivings about their spiritual ceremonies. (That won't influence my voting decision; it'll just influence the way I experience days like today.)
But in any event, I liked how Warren's prayer stood in stark contrast to Gene Robinson's non-sectarian (and, for me, far less moving) prayer. I'll paste videos of both after the jump. How do you think they compare?
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When Jesus taught the disciples the Lord's Prayer, he and they were Jews and spoke Aramaic. So the prayer he gave them was not exactly what we have today. If I'm correct, the version we use was King Henry VIII version, that eventually made it into the King James bible. It was addressed to the Hebrew God and if Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe in the same Abrahamic God, then the prayer is not necessarily Christian, even though it is only used by Christians. Most Christian prayers invoke Jesus in place of God or use both terms. As for Buddhists, Hindus, etc. this is not big deal. Buddhists don't believe in gods and Hindus accept any and all gods. Rick did good in my estimate.
I was so amazed and thrilled that he prayed that prayer. I prayed along myself(thanking God} for him doing so. Maybe this country has some hope
God bless America
I am so grateful and blessed he prayed this prayer.Maybe this country has hope yet
Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Christians, united not by race or country or blood, but to our commitment to Christ and him crucified for our sins.
Bless those who are berated for standing for what they believe. Dr. Billy Graham's Prayer at Nixon's 1969 Inaugural:
Our Father and our God, Thou hast said, "Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord." We recognize on this historic occasion that we are "a nation under God." We thank Thee for this torch of faith handed to us by our forefathers. May we never let it be extinguished. Thou alone hast given us our prosperity, our freedom and our power. This faith in God is our heritage and our foundation!
Thou hast warned us in the Scriptures, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" As George Washington reminded us in his farewell address, morality and faith are the pillars of our society. We confess these pillars are being eroded in an increasingly materialistic and permissive society. The whole world is watching to see if the faith of our fathers will stand the trials and tests of the hour. Too long we have neglected Thy word and ignored Thy laws. Too long we have tried to solve our problems without reference to Thee. Too long we have tried to live by bread alone. We have sown to the wind and are now reaping a whirlwind of crime, division, and rebellion.
And now with the wages of our sins staring us in the face, we remember Thy words, "If my people who are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Help us this day to turn from our sins and to turn by simple faith to the One who said, "Ye must be born again."
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