Indiana Prayer

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:20 am by Faithful Democrats

Indiana Prayer 2013-05-09T06:20:11-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Indiana House of Representatives wants to open every

legislative session with a prayer that acknowledges the power and divinity of
Jesus Christ.

The Indiana House of Representatives wants to open every
legislative session with a prayer that acknowledges the power and divinity of
Jesus Christ.

Undeterred by opposition from the ACLU (big surprise), two
Roman Catholics, a retired Methodist minister and a Quaker lobbyist, not to
mention U.S. District Judge David F. Hamilton of the Southern District of
Indiana, the legislators are now asking the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to
reverse the lower court's decision and bless its desire to open the session
with explicitly Christian prayers. If necessary, the Indiana legislators have
sworn, they will take their fight against non-sectarian prayers all the way up
to the Supreme Court.

I completely agree that our state and federal governments
could do with some serious prayers, not to mention a little Bible study.
(There's some really good stuff in the Book of Matthew that I think they may
have overlooked.)

So in the interest of preserving both Christianity and
democracy, I'd like to offer the following invocation:

Dear Lord,

We ask Thy help and
guidance today for the Indiana House of Representatives and its members, who
apparently haven't noticed that Thou hast managed to inspire and save mankind
for more than 2,000 years without their help or interference.

Please preserve us
from those who seek to shove Thee down the throats of those who do not believe
in Thee and who – for whatever reason —
do not want to. Shine Thy everlasting light on the United States
Constitution, especially that part towards the end that mentions freedom of religion.
Reveal to the lawmakers of Indiana that, in this country, freedom means you
don't have to sit through a prayer to a deity you don't acknowledge just to get
your bill considered by the state legislature.

Lord, we know that it
is the duty and privilege of all Christians to pray constantly, to offer Thee
our thanks and praise in good times and to call on Thy help when life gets
tough. Please let these legislators
know that Thou wilt hear our prayers at any time, whether we are at home, at work, or in the State Capitol
– and that Thou canst can hear us just fine without official amplification from
the House microphone up front.

We humbly beseech Thee
to speak to the consciences of the attorneys in the U.S. Department of Justice,
in the hope that they will repent of the amicus brief they have filed in
support of this misguided governmental attempt to assist Thee in getting Thy
Word out.

We ask these favors,
oh Lord, in the sure and certain knowledge that Thou hast the power to change
human hearts and minds without any official intervention. And if Thou couldst render these favors
soon, before these benighted elected leaders waste another dime of state and
federal taxpayers' money on a bald-faced political bid to garner support among
Christian fundamentalists before the November elections, that would be a great
blessing.

In the Name of Christ (and
without any need for official duress) we pray,

Amen

Featured Writers

Previous Post

September 14, 2006

Hope?

Next Post

September 14, 2006 A Sermon on the Mount Approach

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What river did the Israelites cross to enter the Promised Land?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Nile River Red Sea Jordan River Euphrates River