The National Day of Prayer - Be There or Be Unamerican?

Every red-blooded American will be expected to kneel down before the main god of the Christian Trinity, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, on the National Day of Prayer, which falls on May 1, 2008.

If you've never heard of it, The National Day of Prayer is an "official" event, sponsored by the United States government, according to the National Day of Prayer Task Force. The U.S. Congress established this event in 1952 via a joint resolution which was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. At the time, some Americans, very worried about being blasted to kingdom come by the atheistic Soviet communists, thought a day of prayer might entice the Christian deity to rise up and protect them. President Ronald Reagan, a casual believer, set the date of the celebration to be the first Thursday of May.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force (known hereafter as NDPTF) says that the day is "founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion and can be celebrated by all Americans." (That, of course, is a sneaky little Christian right-wing verbiage to make you think that the National Day of Prayer has something to do with freedom of speech and freedom of religion which it does not!)

The NDPTF insists that this day of prayer is not just for Christians. They lie. They say the NDPTF will act "specifically in accordance with its Judeo-Christian beliefs." (See below)

The NDPTF says the day is not a political event. It is for everyone. And every American can observe the National Day of Prayer in his or her own way. The first part of that's a lie, too!

The NDPTF is chaired by Mrs. Shirley Dobson, the wife of James Dobson, infamous leader of the far-right extremist Christian group known as Focus on the Family. Ms. Dobson is a volunteer, and the NDPTF is not affiliated with Focus on the Family, but it is headquartered in a building owned by Focus on the Family.

If you know anything of the organization Campus Crusade for Christ, you will recognize the name of Bill Bright, who headed up Campus Crusade for many years. Bill Bright was a far-right Christian theocrat who believed in the dominionist program of turning the U.S. government into a Christian theocratic state. His wife, Mrs. Vonette Bright, led the NDPTF prior to Ms. Dobson's reign.

The NDPTF insists the National Day of Prayer is not a Christian event. As we said, that is a lie! In fact, on the same web page where they say it's not a Christian event, they refer to "Christian leaders" on two occasions. It is quite clear there is no place for non-Christian leaders in their organization.

And in a previous year, when referring to National Day of Prayer Sunday (!), the NDPTF writes "...in Churches, when 40 million Christians come together to worship..." Not too much question as to expectations there!

But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.


Let's look at this event more closely. As noted, the NDPTF lies about its not being a political event, too. It is as much a political event as it is a religious event, and thus it is unconstitutional! As an "official religious observance," it breaks down the wall of separation of church and state. The government has no responsibility or power to promote or encourage religious activity of any kind.

That did not, of course, stop President Bush from making this statement in 2002: "NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2, 2002, as a National Day of Prayer..."

There is nothing in our constitution that gives the president authority to declare a national day of prayer. "Our politicians, the president included, are not authorized to make religious decisions for the citizens."

The people of this country can pray whenever they wish for whatever they wish. The president has nothing to say about it. So, when George says "by virtue of the authority vested in me..." he is blowing smoke. He has no authority "vested" in him to establish a Day of Prayer.

He needs to read (hah!) Thomas Jefferson, who wrote in a letter to the Rev. Samuel Miller in 1808, that "Certainly no power to prescribe any religious exercise or to assume authority in religious discipline has been delegated to the General Government..."

James Madison, considered by many historians to be the "Father of the Constitution," said that prayer proclamations were inappropriate, although he did issue a few "prayer day" proclamations while president. But he regretted his actions, and wrote that these kinds of religious proclamations "seem to imply and certainly nourish the erroneous idea of a national religion."


Another major problem (other than the whole thing is unconstitutional!) is that the National Day of Prayer has become a vehicle to promote the agenda of fundamentalist Christianity and the Republican Party.

The NDPTF is up front about its fundamentalist view of the world and its claim that the United States is a Christian nation. The Texas Freedom Network warns that "the NDP Task Force has cloaked the National Day of Prayer in a political mantle. Adopting the culture war language of the Christian Right, the group explicitly instructs participants to pray about social issues such as 'condom distribution, the promotion of homosexuality and a refusal to acknowledge God [in public schools].'"

As mentioned previously, another very large lie relates to the NDPTF's claim that the event is for all Americans, not just Christians. In fact, the NDPTF explains that "Our expression of ... involvement [in the National Day of Prayer] is specifically limited to the Judeo-Christian heritage and those who share that conviction as expressed in the Lausanne Covenant."

It's interesting, but I've never found anyone who could explain, with any degree of cogency, that phrase, "Judeo-Christian heritage." It definitely has nothing to do with the Lausanne Covenant, and most Jews I know reject it out-of-hand. Christians, from Paul onward, have been very clear about disavowing the most important facets of any Jewish heritage, and today the Christian churches in all their myriad forms have, at best, only faint glimmerings of anything Jewish, many being openly anti-Jewish.

The Lausanne Covenant you probably wouldn't know about unless you are a fundamentalist Christian. This derives from a 1974 attempt made by fundamentalists to put into writing the essence of what they believed must be believed to be a Christian (the better to dismiss heretics within their midst.) The Lausanne Covenant is a good example as to why the notion of a Judeo-Christian heritage doesn't cut it; The Lausanne Covenant instead disses all persons as unworthy of salvation and unable to attain salvation, who do not accept the following formulations (There are other components of this covenant, but these are the most significant for our purposes):

1. Bible inerrancy - "We affirm [that the Bible is] without error in all that it affirms, and [is] the only infallible rule of faith and practice."
2. Christian Exclusivity - "Those who reject Christ repudiate the joy of salvation and condemn themselves to eternal separation from God.

In addition, the NDPTF materials are filled with references to "Christ," and their sample materials assume that only Christian pastors and leaders will be involved. Other religious groups are not only not wanted, but are banned from participation as happened in Plano, Texas in 2005 when local NDPTF volunteers refused to allow non-Christian faith representatives to be part of the prayer festivities.

At one point the NDPTF website included this quote: "We can and must win this cultural war." How to do that? Well, in 2005, of the "five great things to pray for," one was the media, because the media is "hostile to those who voice their belief in Christ," and another was education, because public schools are bent on "promoting a radical social agenda," which includes "condom distribution, the promotion of homosexuality."

Other "cultural war" concerns involve abortion, gay marriage, and the courts.


The NDPTF encourages all of the states to participate in the National Day of Prayer. Most of them do, all of the time. Governors adopt the NDPTF "theme" and utilize NDPTF materials, and help to establish celebrations for their states. One who refused was the former governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura. Always a maverick, and often right on target, Jesse was pressured in 1999 by the Minnesota Family Council, a far-right Christian group affiliated with the Washington-based Family Research Council.

But Ventura did not bow to that pressure and refused to "formally endorse" the National Day of Prayer. Jesse told reporters "I believe in the separation of church and state. We all have our own religious beliefs. There are people out there who are atheists, who don't believe at all. They are all citizens of Minnesota and I have to respect that."


Each year the NDPTF selects an "honorary chairman," who is supposed to promote the affair and say all the right and godly things and put together a terrific prayer for the actual event. Slacktivist, a cynical blogger (thus a favorite of mine) wrote this about the 2004's event:

"The honorary chairman," he says, "ideally should be someone who embodies the civil religious, next-to-of-course-god-america-i-love-you values of the NDP. The person should be prominent, widely admired -- a hero.

"Pat Tillman would have been a good choice -- a man who walked away from fame and a million-dollar career to serve his country. Except of course that he wasn't religious and now ... he's dead."

"John McCain, likewise, is a popular war hero, but he has never mastered the kind of platitudinous piety the role requires.

"Mel Gibson is, alas, not an American. And beside, Mel has never been convicted of lying to Congress to cover up the covert funding of terrorists.

"Thus for honorary chairman, the National Day of Prayer organizers chose the only appropriate man for the job: Oliver North. ...

"I was willing," cries Slacktivist, "to at least try to take this thing seriously, but Oliver North? Couldn't they at least pretend this event had something to do with genuine prayer or faith? Couldn't they even try to be at least a little bit subtle in wielding their piety as a partisan political club? Oliver freaking North."

This was the same year Shirley Dobson, on The 700 Club, portrayed (as usual) the United States as a Christian nation. She said "We live in the land of the free where 'we the people' can openly call upon God for wisdom, protection and blessing. In order to realize the potential outlined in the Declaration of Independence, we must continue seeking Divine counsel, asking for His intervention and direction."

Notice the words, "we the people," and "Declaration of Independence." None of those words have anything to do with prayer. But she ties them together nicely and one might even think that we are a wonderful, religious nation, with a wonderful, religious government. One might even forget that "we the people" can pray anytime we wish and do not need our government involved whatsoever; that in fact the Declaration of Independence was predicated on a government that could NOT tell people how or when or what to pray!

I can't help but wonder, too, why these fundamentalist Christians believe they have to pray all the time. Does their god not know their needs? And how does god grant them their wishes for wisdom and protection and blessing? And why should any god grant those wishes? And what is the potential outlined in the Declaration of Independence? And exactly how does god intervene and direct so that we can realize that potential - whatever it is?


We said before, that when it comes to the National Day of Prayer, non-Christians need not apply. I have a copy of the program for the 2005 National Day of Prayer for the city of Artesia, California. The people involved included a Methodist, an "Evangelical," a Roman Catholic, a "New Life" Christian, what appears to be a Messianic "Jew," someone from the World Full Gospel Mission (Pentecostal), and a pastor Dave from the Calvary Chapel. Not a real Jew anywhere. No Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, not even a Lutheran or Presbyterian. Sheesh!

On the national level in 2005, the Honorary Chair was Henry Blackaby, a "noted Southern Baptist discipleship leader." He urged "Christians to pray about his upcoming message," and he said that he was very worred about terrorist threats and the moral decay of American society.

Ms. Dobson was ecstatic about Blackaby. "His prayer for the nation couldn't be more appropriate for the culture we find ourselves living in today," she said. "He has graciously attended to our requests and his book, 'Experiencing Prayer with Jesus,' is garnering good attention in the market. Dr. Blackaby is a man of God and [we] have been incredibly blessed by his active support this year.

Blackaby is ready! Heck, his book is selling like hotcakes, and he knows about prayer 'cause he used to head up prayer stuff for the Southern Baptists. He also knows about bombs and chemical weapons and thinks that terrorists have "dirty bombs" and chemical or biological weapons at their disposal, and that's why "Blackaby considers prayer the nation's most powerful line of defense."

"That's why I'm convinced this National Day of Prayer is so urgent, because there's an immediate danger," said Blackaby. "Only sincere, God-honoring prayer will cause the hand of God to keep the enemy from hurting us badly." (Did Bush put him up to saying that?)

Another problem, of course, is the moral decay of the country. My god, there's talk of same-sex marriage "and we're plagued with increasing attempts to keep any references to God from the public square. Blackaby said the root of many problems is turning away from the Creator."

"The nation that honors God, He will honor," said Blackaby.

What a god these folks believe in! He (always "he") is going to sit back and allow his chosen people (Americans) to be destroyed by bomb-carrying, chemical weaponing terrorists because we don't pray on the National Day of Prayer? Or because we allow two people who love each other to be married? Or because we don't talk about God in the "public square?"

And doesn't this so-called "doctor" know that, according to the bible, praying is not what god considers as honoring her? Has he not read that god requires justice and mercy, not prayer?


In 2008, the 57th Annual National Day of Prayer will take place on Thursday, May 1. This year's theme, inapt as it may be, is "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield."

The honorary chairman is Dr. Ravi Zacharias, a "evangelical" minister, philosopher and evangelist. His doctorate is also "honorary," although he does have a Masters of Divinity. Dr. Zacharias believes that Christianity can answer all the important questions.

And Ricky Skaggs, the country singer, "a man of prayer," will also be praying on May 1. Ricky Scaggs grabbed his guitar and said "We are praying that a drawing toward Christ in relationship would take place. Prayer always precedes revival...no revival ever started without prayer. Prayer shows a dependency upon God."

I didn't know Ricky was an evangelist, too! And I didn't know that the National Day of Prayer was supposed to ignite a Christian spiritual awakening, or a fundamentalist revival in our fair land. And don't all you mainline Christians, and Jews and other non-Christians feel welcome and like full partners in this government authorized Jesus Christ prayer event?

Oh, yes, Coach Tony Dungy is going to pray, too - to Jesus.

And, you will be really glad to know that in 2007, "The Furniture Row # 78 CUP program, sporting the NDP paint scheme was on the track again at Talladega Motor Speedway [April 29] for the NASCAR Aaron's 499 Cup." I didn't know that, either. But "Featured on ABC News and the Speed Channel, the National Day of Prayer # 78 has been a huge success."

So, the National Day of Prayer is about car racing, too. Wow! Well, lots of NASCAR fans pay homage to "the man upstairs," so why not?


The National Observance will be held in Washington, D.C., our nation's capital (as the NDPTF is quick to point out!), from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. (EDT) and will be broadcast LIVE via webcast. I wasn't able to determine exactly where this great event would take place. Evidently, if you haven't been invited, you're not wanted.

You can link to it, though, to hear such luminaries as Condoleezza Rice, Mrs. Shirley Dobson, Dr. James Dobson, Dr. Ravi Zacharias, Rep. Mike McIntyre, Judge Janice Rogers Brown, Chaplain Barry Black, and Charles Billingsley.


Then again, you may want to forget all about it if you're a Jew or non-Christian, 'cause you're definitely not wanted and considered apostate. And if you're a Christian, well you can forget about it, too...because --

Jesus said, "...when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogue [read church or state or national capitol] and at the street-corners, for everyone to see them [read public square.] I tell you this: they have their reward already. But when you pray, go into a room by yourself, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is there in the secret place; and your Father who sees what is secret will reward you.

"In your prayers do not go babbling on like the heathen, who imagine that the more they say the more likely they are to be heard. Do not imitate them. Your Father knows what your needs are before you ask him." -- Matthew 6:5-8

And finally, "Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of my heavenly Father. When that day comes, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast our devils in your name, and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them to their face, 'I never knew you; out of my sight, you and your wicked ways!'" -- Matthew 7:21-23

Let's kick the pray-ers out of our national and state capitols -- the "public square." Maybe there's still time to turn things around before god gets really pissed and the world blows up in our face!