Confession time... I really struggle with the National Day of Prayer. There, I said it. I feel better. Now don't get me wrong. I believe in praying for one's country and its leaders. In fact, we are commanded to do so (1 Timothy 2). And I understand the sentiment and passion behind the movement. I am not opposed to the National Day of Prayer. (How could I be?) I just struggle with it personally.
First of all, I'm not a big ecumenical person, so I struggle with the whole concept of joining hands with leaders from denominations who got our country into this mess in the first place by calling "evil good, and good evil." Don't get me wrong. I think there are many fine denominations, churches, and pastors outside of Southern Baptist life. But there are others I just have no interest in pretending that we're on the same team.
Secondly, I can't help but feel that the ship is too big to turn. America is so depraved at this stage, I just have a difficult time seeing the point. Before you ask, yes, I am familiar with 2 Chronicles 7:14. I know God can heal our nation. I guess my question at this point is, "Does He want to?" And are we really ready to "turn from our wicked ways?" I have my doubts on both counts.
Thirdly, when any number of Christians were on Facebook recently going nuts because a federal judge ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional, one of my non-Christian Facebook friends asked the question, "Why are you Christians so upset? Can't you pray anywhere at anytime? Why do you need a federally designated day?" For some reason, I can't come up with a very good answer to that question.
Does anyone else struggle with this, or is it just me?
