National Day of Prayer

I've been dubbed as the pastor who delivers the closing prayer at our community's National Day of Prayer event sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce. I have vacillated between being ecumenical and leaving Jesus out of the prayer and inclusive, to Christians, in keeping Jesus the central part of the prayer. Tough. Really...tough. You see, it is a day where people of all faiths can come together and supplicate to the God of all religions. Yet, in the Bible Belt, it is practically a given that all who attend will be followers of Jesus Christ. Still, I ponder.

If there are only a few who believe in the God of all creation who attend, will I diss them with a prayer that is Jesus-oriented. What of Jews? What of Muslims? We all believe in the God of the Old Testament. But not all agree with Jesus and the New Testament. I ponder. I worry.

But I have resolved that it is the life that comes from the Holy Spirit, that Jesus promised, in which we live today. Those who don't know this wonderful blessing are on the outs. They need to hear the message. So, tomorrow, I will speak of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit that may be foreign to non-Christians. I will not waver. I will not fade. I will not fail to bring the promise of hope and redemption that comes from the Holy Spirit, that ONLY Jesus promised.

Debate is settled. Jesus is the Hope, the Life, and the Resurrection for believers. Not tainted nor diminished. That will be my prayer. Pray for ME!

I will end the prayer with the Lord's Prayer. I pray for unison in it's saying. In that, there will be a confirmation that God is in power and God is in charge...at least, in the lives of believers. And believers will pray this prayer with me. All Power and Glory to God Almighty!