Jim1999 said:
Think of the very public prayers we offer in regular services, funerals, weddings and in particular the wording..."Father, WE lift our hearts and hands to YOU.......we have included believers and unbelievers as if they ALL were believers in the same God.
I am not offended when other religions are represented in public meeting and offer their prayers. They have equal rights. At veteran's memorial services, I have shared the platform with Rabbi's, Liberal ministers and just plain ungodly folks. I answer for who I am, and not for the whole world. On the same hand, I do not apologize for praying in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Cheers,
Jim
This gets back to a point I was trying to make earlier ... that these public ritual prayers are pretty hollow if you look at the audience that is supposed to be "led" in prayer. I would just as soon eliminate them altogether.
But, like you, I have done a good many, particularly in my days as a campus minister. I never shall forget the functionary at the U. of Maryland who had scripted everybody else but me -- I could see the Chancellor's script, in a very large font, "Good morning, everyone, and welcome .." .. (he couldn't be trusted to say even THAT on his own?!) -- so he looked at me and said, "Not too long, Reverend, less than two minutes, OK?" I didn't even answer him, but just did my best to pray my heart, whatever the length.
Now ... here is what is interesting to me, though. You mentioned praying in the name of Christ. I agree. That is who we are. How can Jews, for example, be offended by it when the rabbi comes forward and does a few lines of "Baruch ....." in Hebrew? That is his identity. I have seen Muslims do their thing in Arabic. That is their identity. I don't "pray" with them; I just tolerate it. So why are we Christians the ones who must suffuse our identities with a mumbling awkwardness at the end of our public ritual prayers?