National Prayer

Obama tones down National Day of Prayer observance - CNN.com

"I think the president understands, in his own life and in his family's life, the role that prayer plays."

 

Sweet.  I'm so glad he understands the role of prayer.  Um, I wonder what that role is?  Does it draw him closer to God?  Does he seek guidance for our country from the Creator of the Universe?  Or is prayer just a way of linking himself to the powerful Christian voting block?  (I wonder if/when we'll ever elect an openly Islamic president?  Or New Ager?  Or an atheist?)

Wait a second.  I seem to remember a few things from the Old Testament.  What is the role of prayer in the national life?  Do you remember Moses calling the people together for national prayer?  The prophets?  One of the greatest national revivals they had was when King Josiah called them to Jerusalem for repentance and consecration. 

Being a "free" country means that our government cannot force us to engage in a particular religious practice.  That was why so many fled from Europe in the first place:  religious freedom.  And now, we have religious anarchy (which I don't think was the Founding Fathers original intent).  We have the freedom to exercise religion in almost any fashion we see fit.

Almost.  There are still stories of people who practice voodoo, or some-such, and they get in trouble for killing animals.  Cruel and inhumane behaviour towards those who aren't human.  Oh, and drug use.  There is still some wrangling going on over drug use during some ceremonies.  But, these are things that most people frown on, so our government condemns them.

Our government steps in and tells people what not to do in certain cases.  Isn't that what God is accused of doing?  A great big list of don'ts?  What about all the do's in the Bible?  Do pray.  Do spend time with other believers.  Do be kind to the less fortunate.  Do take care of widows and orphans.  Do feed the hungry.  The list could go on.

Does our goverment have a right to tell us what to do?  In certain cases, yes.  Do pay your taxes.  Do wear a seat belt.  And religious practices?

Maybe thats one of the problems with our country.  Our leadership has not lead us into His presence.  National Day of Weeping and Repentance.  National Day of Rending Our Clothes and Confessing National Sins.  The way our government is set up, these things can not happen.  And I think our country is worse off for it.

What would happen if he led our country into a time of national prayer, like Israel of old?

F.U.D.

“Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt”

Origin

This was a marketing term used to describe one competitor sowing distrust about a  competitor, so customers would stay with them instead of trying something new.  “They’re product is full of bugs.”  “They’re a start-up company.  They have no staying power, or tech support.”  “They’ll go out of business, and you’ll be left holding the bag.”

These are all drawn from computer sales, where, I think, F.U.D. got its start.  One company advertising against another highlighting their defects and shortcomings, whether imagined or real.  It didn’t matter.  Sales mattered.  The truth didn’t matter.  Only the bottom line.  You went with one company and avoided another.

Mutation

Its mutated away from commercialism though, and entered the political arena.  During this  last election, Obama’s slogan was “Change!”  “We need change, because what we’re doing isn’t working.”  Or, if its working it isn’t good.  “It isn’t ethical.”  “It isn’t right.”  “Look at the devastation of the war.”  “Look at the cost in lives, and money.”  “The environment.  We’re killing the whole world.”  “We’re exploiting the Third World.” 

I guess in politics, its called mud-slinging and fear-mongering, but its the same thing.  “My opponent doesn’t have the experience needed for this job.”  “More of the same isn’t the answer.”  Republicans, Democrats, and those independent few all use the same tactics.  “You need to fear our opponent (fear), because he can’t handle it (uncertainty).”  “He is not capable (doubt).”

More of the Same

We’re seeing more of it today, with the “swine flu,” or H1N1, scare.  In the midst of all this frenzy, I heard people saying that it isn’t really that bad (which I agree with.)  But, they went on to say it was pushed and publicized so we would overlook Obama’s first one hundred days.  What did he do?  Spend money?  or solve problems?  It was used as a distraction so we, the people, wouldn’t look too closely.  Hmmm, maybe.  Or more F.U.D.  “Obama wants us to be scared of something other than himself.”  “He wants us to look to him for our safety.”

F.U.D. is being used as an accusation:  “The other person is using underhanded tricks to get what he wants.”  Now, the accuser is guilty. Of fear-mongering.  One side accuses the other of mud slinging, while their own hands are stained and dirty.

 

We, the Accused …

The Church has been accused of this also.  “Fire and brimstone!”  “Turn or burn!”  “God will smite you!”  “AIDS is God’s curse on mankind for _________.”  You can fill in the blank with your sin of choice:  homosexuality, drug use, abortion.  The mortgage crash is because we worshipped money.  Hurricane Katrina was God’s punishment for … what?  Mardi Gras?  9/11 was God’s call to repentance, a sign of the End Times.

Some few Christian’s say these things.  Many more may think them.  This isn’t right.  It isn’t useful or productive for the kingdom of God.

The Gospel is good news.  When John’s disciples came to Jesus, what was his response?  Tell them the blind see, the lame walk, and the poor hear the good news.  Eternal Damnation isn’t good news.  Its bad news.  We can use scare tactics to get people into heaven, but I don’t think that was God’s plan of the ages.  I think He wants us to tell people “good news.”  Jesus loves you.  God wants to hug you, not smite you.  Heaven will be exciting, not boring.

 

What do you think is the “best” part of the “good” news?