The controversy regarding the invitation by Barack Obama for Rick Warren to pray at the inauguration tomorrow is getting out of hand. Christians are upset, non-Christians are upset, conservatives and liberals are both put off by the idea for political and so-called “moral” reasons.
Enough already.
Praying at a public, historical event doesn’t have to mean one is endorsing beliefs of others. I can’t speak for Obama’s motives in calling on this pastor to deliver the inaugural prayer, and I can’t speak for Warren’s motives in accepting the invitation.
But I know this: prayer isn’t partisan and it isn’t political. At least it shouldn’t be.
I Thessalonians 5:16-17 Be joyful always, pray continually. NIV
II Chronicles 7:14 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 I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. NIV
I agree. And really couldn’t care less who he chose. I’m sure he had his reasons. But I I didn’t really like the ‘prayer’, which seemed more a speech or sermon. I liked the invocation much better. It felt more like a prayer.