"The Prayer that Would Have Been Prayed..."

“THE PRAYER THAT
WOULD HAVE BEEN PRAYED…”

For those who are following the “Roanoke City Council Prayer Controversy” you will recall that I had been invited to give the invocation for the February 2 Roanoke City Council Meeting. But because two other ministers recently prayed “in the Name of the Son of God” and “in the Name of Jesus Christ” (Sherman Lea and Harold Sumner), there was some doubt as to whether the City Council would permit anyone else to pray in Jesus’ Name. I was told by telephone that an official prayer policy was being formulated and all future prayers must conform to it.

The official prayer policy has been put in place. I received a letter from Stephanie Moon, City Clerk (January 22, 2009) stating: “This policy is the result of the city’s commitment to showcase the rich diversity found in Roanoke. Inasmuch as the invocation is an official part of every Council meeting and is listed on the agenda and is delivered as part of the opening ceremony, along with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, all invocations delivered by the clergy must be nonsectarian in nature, and should not be used to advance a particular religion or to disparage another faith or belief, but offer a time of reflection and encouragement.”

I telephoned Stephanie Moon for clarification. I asked her if this meant that the Name of Jesus could not be used in the invocation. She said that is what it means. I then told her that if I could not conscientiously comply with that policy, does that mean my invitation to have the February 2 City Council invocation has been rescinded, taken away and refused? She said, yes, that is the case. I reminded her that this is a denial of my Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion. She very cheerfully said, yes, she knew that!

Since I had already prepared my prayer thoughts for the City Council invocation (following Sherman Lea’s censure in the media, but before Harold Sumner’s repeat performance), I thought it might be of some interest to share this prayer. Here is “the Prayer That Would Have Been Prayed”.

“O, Lord, there seems to be a lot of controversy lately about whether it is right for Christians to pray to you, the Christian’s God, for our government leaders. But actually, we have been commanded by You to do just that in the words of the inspired Apostle Paul: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority” (I Timothy 2:1-2).

“So therefore we do today pray for these who lead our city, that You will bless them each one and their families with good health and long life, and that You will grant them the wisdom, self-control, and patient endurance to conduct the affairs of this city and its citizens in a right, fair, and honest way. Our forefathers and –mothers, those

who established this nation, these states and cities, called upon You and acknowledged Your divine leading in this great experiment in democracy and freedom, and we believe it is right for us to do so, also.

“Dear Heavenly Father, You have heard the question raised by some of whether it is right for Christians to pray publicly in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; but we can only reply to those who would silence us as did the First Century believers when commanded not to speak in the Name of Jesus, who said, “whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, You judge… We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Stephanie Moon stated in our conversation that the city will be sued at law if Jesus’ Name appears in any more City Council invocations. Of course, there is always a “bottom line”!

Fortunately we do not have to have a City Council Meeting in order to pray for our city officials! We can always do so privately and in our Churches (so far). Let us do so! And, following our Lord’s commands, let us also pray for those who have made us their enemies for His sake—the A.C.L.U., the atheists, humanists, pagans, cults, false Christians, and those who put money before principle!

Larry Atkin, Preacher