NewsReal Sunday: Does Our Country Have a Prayer?

News Real

by Paul Cooper

If our country ever needed people to pray – it is now.  We are a mess.  Our economy is in shambles, we are in two wars, our government is expanding like never before, protests are all around, and worse.  And just when things get really bad, a left-wing judge tries to take away the decades old National Day of Prayer.

The United States Congress established a National Day of Prayer 58 years ago.  Our country has celebrated it every year but now a Wisconsin-based U.S. District Judge has ruled the special day for prayer violates the First Amendment clause in the Constitution on religion.  On April 15th Judge Barbara Crabb ruled that celebrating prayer somehow breached the rights of citizens when it comes to expressing faith through prayer.

“The government has taken sides on a matter that must be left to individual conscience.” – Crabb

The reaction has given us one of those rare moment when Democrats, Republicans, and the President all agree on something.  They all hate Crabb’s decision and Obama’s Justice Department will be fighting Crabb’s ruling in court.

The main argument against Crabb is that the National Day of Prayer does not force anyone to pray.  It just highlights prayer as an option for Americans to do on that day.

“The key phrase here it says . . . the people of the United States may, m-a-y, turn to God in prayer and meditation…The last time I heard that you may do something, that’s not you shall, that’s you may.” – Rep. Mike McIntyre (D – NC)

Other congressmen reflected on America’s well documented history of Presidents and various leaders in government calling on people to pray for our country.

“I’m sure she’s got the best degrees on her wall, but she is ignorant of our history.” -Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)

Let’s put aside the fact that many in power are probably joining the battle against this ruling to get some cred with religious voters.  It is nice to see bipartisanship and so many passionate about a day of prayer.
My only hope is that the men and women who are fighting this battle would actually spend some quality time on their knees before the Almighty.  What’s the point of fighting for the right to prayer if we’re not really going to do it?  Since this is NewsReal Sunday I don’t mind writing that I believe the only real hope this country has is for its citizens to call out to the God of the universe.

13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

The scriptures are clear.  Our nation is being devoured by every kind of plague imaginable.  It is time to not just fight for prayer, but to actually humble ourselves and pray and seek God and turn from our wicked ways.  Then maybe God will indeed heal our land.