Some conservative evangelicals are miffed with Dr. Ravi Zacharias, the honorary chair of this year’s National Day of Prayer. Dr. Zacharias will be present at an interdenominational prayer gathering in Washington, DC today where he will conclude his written prayer, not “In Jesus’ Name,” but rather “In God’s Holy Name.” At least one evangelical group suggests that by not mentioning the name of Jesus Dr. Zacharias is compromising the gospel and violating the explicitly Christian orientation of the National Day of Prayer intended by the Founders…
Zacharias’ prayer stands in stark contrast to the first prayer of the Continental Congress, which was delivered on September 7, 1774 by Reverend Jacob Duché. That distinctly Christian prayer ended with the words: “All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior. Amen.” It is the name of Jesus that separates the Christian faith from non-Christian faiths.
I think the bigger issue is why Christians are joining Muslims and the whole cornacopia of beliefs in prayer? This has the appearance of a formulation to a “One World Religion”. The National Day of Prayer may have started out on the right foot but it has evolved into a pagan ritual in which Christians are invited to participate. Just by participating in this event gives credibility to anything outside of Jesus’s commands. I think it is wise for born again Christians to separate themselves from this.
Nancy
Can’t say I’m godly, but if ever a fella has received ‘great gain’,~~tis I!
Naught have I gotten, but what I received, grace hath bestowed it, since I have believed; boasting excluded, pride I abase, I’m only a sinner, saved by grace. (One of GB Vick’s oft quoted hymns.)
I thank God for my heritage!!!!
*: ) *: )*: )*: )*: )*: )
Godliness with Contentment is GREAT GAIN!
Paul
This hymn that once was a favorite of yours sums up the issue for me.
My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
Have a great day!
don
Dr. Chuck Swindoll also prayed publicly on the NDP and his prayer did not (actually) use the Name of Jesus either…
I really think this is like witch hunting…These men obiously are godly men who love Jesus. Follow this link and then scroll down…there will be a link for you to listen to his prayer. Copy and paste link.
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004543.cfm
It is quite simple.
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Romans 14:11
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
I give little thought to who the audience is, I give a great deal of thought to who the King is. I’m his child, he took me in, and now all that is left to do is to;
Psalm 107:2
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
Thank you Jesus, I love you!
I look at it this way: Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” Circumstances did not change Daniel’s behavior, the question is did Ravi change his?
I lament #3. I lament that we as christians so eaisily accept the bait!
I don’t know which to lament more:
1. Ravi going out of his way not to mention Jesus’ name in prayer
2. People getting bent out of shape over it
3. Satan sowing discord on the very day we’re focused on prayer
Come, Lord Jesus (Yeshua)!
Also for Don, I posted this else where, but will share it here…
What’s more important? The letter of the law…or it’s intent. And, if we neglect the letter…do we necessarily lose the intent?
No “Post-Moderism” intended. *; )
Valentine, I so agree with you and just have to share this story from our house…
I so wanted my husband to pray with me in shared prayer times, but the only responses he gave during our prayers were uhu, uhu amen…
One morning I had a particularly important appointment and on his way out to work he stopped and prayed for me. It was a very simple prayer, to the point, and I was thrilled…obviously an answer to my continued prayers. I was dancing and praising for a bit when I heard the soft prompting to listen to the Holy Spirit…this is what I heard…Nancy, I am sooo glad you are happy about Joe’s prayer, but this is not the first time he has prayed with you. My ears are more excellent than yours…while you have been hearing uhu, uhu amen… I have been hearing his heart.
No
Well, Don…we also need to look at the audience, and the situation. Who is being addressed and why? The geneneral public can pray in the Name of Jesus as much as they want and nothing will happen because there is no faith or belief in His name. If it was absolutly necessary in all situations, Jesus himself would have made sure to add His Name to the “Our Father”, don’t you think?
I haven’t heard about this previously. You’re right, we can’t judge his motives. We do need to be careful about being too stringent/formulaic on prayer forms. Won’t God still hear our prayers, regardless on how we end them? Our heart needs to be praying in Jesus’ name, not that we say all the right stuff. Just a thought. Thanks.
Worldview weekend is all over this. I look at this as another case of nitpicking and judging others motives. Ravi is a solid christian representative, and I trust his heart and motives are right.
Nancy
Here are some as to why.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him
Matthew 6:9-13 (King James Version)
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
This is what KJV says on the all time classical prayer…most of the time, I use the in Jesus’ Name sign off, but it doesn’t appear here…much ado about nothing. *: )
12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them,
That They Had Been With Jesus.
Quite the testimony, to be emulated.