June 25, 2008 (Wednesday)
Yesterday’s blog began with a word about driving over the causeway. I remember when it was built, and when it was dedicated. I offered the prayer at the ceremony, which included many dignitaries, among whom was our Congressman, John Young. It was named after then president Lyndon Johnson.
Over the years, I’ve prayed at many ceremonies of various kinds at civic clubs, school events, highway dedication, causeway dedication, monument dedication, chamber of commerce ceremonies, concerts, sports events, installations, lodge meetings, birthdays, anniversaries, presentation of Gideon New Testaments to sixth grade classes, and many more. I have prayed on shrimp boats, big fishing boats, yachts, and skiffs. I offered prayers on the beach, at the park, and in groves of trees. I’ve prayed in homes, churches, and public buildings. Fact is, once upon a time that’s the way it was. Almost every public ceremony of any kind had an invocation, a prayer of dedication, or a benediction.
Times have changed, and civic ceremonies and meetings do not always include invocations or benedictions, etc. Perhaps it’s just as well, because such prayers are generally generic and neutral to the extent that one wonders if the exercise is truly what we would call real prayer. The practice of our faith as Christians is never at its best when it must be muted and watered down for civic purposes. Ceremony and ritual cannot possibly substitute for heartfelt faith.
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there was a worship service and prayer meeting in Washington, D.C. that was televised nationally. No one was trying to impress anyone, and everyone on the program spoke and prayed sincerely. No politics were involved. Now that was real prayer.