When Prayer is Controversial

Although its roots go back to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and Congress authorized an annual National Day of Prayer more than half a century ago, a federal judge took steps last month to have it declared unconstitutional.

At the same time, the news media gave extensive coverage to outspoken anti-religion activists who persuaded the military to cancel my personal participation in a Pentagon prayer event on grounds that it might offend Muslims.

Then an Islamic advocacy group in Washington tried to keep me from participating in a prayer event on Capitol Hill with members of the House of Representatives.

It is shocking to experience, in our own country, such open opposition to Christian prayer for the nation. Despite that, millions of people across America did pray on May 6. And on May 7, on May 8, and every day since.

The truth is, whether or not there is an official day of prayer, no judge and no critics will ever stop believers from praying.