Given the strong religious convictions of many in our community, perhaps we should examine this as a theological question and ask ourselves "What would Jesus do?" when it comes to public prayer.
According to Gospel of Matthew, it's pretty clear what Jesus taught us about public prayer:
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6: 5-6 -- NIV Translation)I understand that people have the legal right to pray in some public settings and this may include school board meetings (depending on what higher courts decide on this issue). But the Caddo and Bossier School Boards opening their meetings with a prayer certainly isn't consistent with what Jesus taught us about public prayer.
Maybe the Caddo and Bossier School Board membership can explain why they think they know more than Jesus on this topic?
2 comments:
As a note, at that time Jesus was teaching about hypocrisy, the showy "faith" of many people, including religious leaders, then and now. The prayer He is talking about was prayed in order to draw attention to oneself as someone who is, quite literally, holier than thou. This has nothing to do with opening a public gathering in prayer, for usually one who does so seeks no such recognition, and is at least attempting to support Christ and the things He stood for. Therefore opening a meeting in prayer is actually healthy for the Body of Christ. For further information see what the book of Acts has to say regarding the prayers of the Early Church, and also what the gospels have to say about the prayers of Jesus Himself.
On 2 August 2008, anonymous wrote:
-snip-
"As a note, at that time Jesus was teaching about hypocrisy, the showy 'faith' of many people, including religious leaders, then and now. The prayer He is talking about was prayed in order to draw attention to oneself as someone who is, quite literally, holier than thou."
So you're suggesting tha elected politicians would never engage in "showy" displays of faith?
I hope you're not so naive that you've never considered the possibility that at least some of the public religious performances of politicians is for "show" and may not be sincere.
If the prayers are for God to hear, why not do them in executive session where the voters cannot hear them but God can?
God may be able to tell the sincere public prayer apart from the insincere but they are identical to human ears.
But private prayer is sincere because there is no possibility that it's a display of piety for the voters.
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