National Day of Prayer Bru Ha Ha.

Apparently, some very prominent Christians are complaining that President Obama dissed the National Day of Prayer. Our nation began celebrating a National Day of Prayer during the Truman Administration. Until President George W. Bush came along, Presidents simply issued a declaration and urged citizens to pray for the nation. President Bush enhanced the celebration by holding very public ceremonies to which Christian dignitaries were invited. In a reversal of sorts, President Obama announced his decision to issue a proclamation and to “pray privately.”

The irony of these prominent Christians complaining about President Obama’s decision not to hold a public ceremony, but to instead issue a proclamation and to “pray privately,” is simply astonishing. Jesus pointedly criticized those who pray publicly to impress others. He specifically instructed his followers to “go into your closet and pray in secret.” George W. Bush held National Day of Prayer ceremonies for political purposes - to stroke the egos of evangelical leaders and maintain the political support of “people of faith.” He did this in direct defiance of Jesus’ explicit instructions regarding the political exploitation of prayer. For Christians to honor George W. Bush for this behavior, and to then criticize President Obama when he acts precisely as Jesus instructed, tells us a great deal about American evangelical culture - and it is not good.

Such complaints demonstrate that these “Christian” leaders care little about what Jesus actually taught us, but are greatly concerned that “Christianity” and Christians are paid their proper cultural homage. That is sickening.

Joe H.