First, let me just say that I am incredibly proud to live in a nation that would elect a man regardless of the color of his skin. I am not terribly hopeful about the direction our country may go under his leadership, but to see he and Michelle and their kids walk down the steps as the First Family made me feel very proud to be an American. Scripture is clear that God puts rulers in charge and takes them out…I will be praying for the Obama family.
Well, we don’t have to wonder any longer how Rick Warren will pray at President Obama’s inauguration. I posted the video here for those that didn’t see it live.
So what do you think? Did he do the job you would have had him do? Infinitely more importantly, did he do the job God would have had him do? I’ll look forward to reading your comments.
5 comments
Jim Fedako says:
February 7, 2009 at 12:15 am (UTC -5 )
Let me try this again … originally posted a week ago:
Ryan,
I learned about this issue through the video, as well as through emails from other Christian sources. I do not read USNews unless provoked. Instead, I get my national news from World Magazine.
I suggest you watch the Wretched link. The show is from FamilyNet, which itself is owned by In Touch Ministry — hardly mainstream media.
Had you taking the time to view the video, you would have recognized that your first few paragraphs were unnecessary.
I’d be interested in version of the Bible you cited with regard to Psalm 103:8. I went to Bible Gateway and looked around. I did not find that wording in any of the top five versions.
Also, note the “Isa” reference. Isa is the Muslim name for Jesus — the false Jesus of Islam.
It could be pure happenstance that Warren chose to pray in this manner — that Warren gave no thought to the implications of his fully vetted, political prayer. Just maybe.
Never trust the man over the Word. There are wolves out there in sheep’s clothing.
note: How did Jesus treat those who prayed publicly in order to obtain worldly power? Something to consider. I would say that Warren got his reward.
Ryan Smith says:
January 30, 2009 at 9:20 am (UTC -5 )
Correction Jim,
You are taking the words of a secular media organization to attack someone who is ACTUALLY quoting from the Bible.
Deuteronomy 6.4 says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
Yes it is from the Jewish Bible. We refer to the Jewish Bible as the OLD TESTAMENT. Don’t forget that Christianity is rooted in the Jewish faith, that Jesus Himself was a Jew and the Old Testament is just as alive today as it was 10,000 years ago.
The second phrase this article refers to is ACTUALLY an excerpt from Psalm 103.8 (A PSALM of DAVID), “The Lord is compassionate and merciful. . .”
You know, perhaps better than anyone, that the secular world is going to do all they can to turn things around and justify THEIR beliefs.
What we don’t need are people–within the flock–biting the sheep. We, as humans, do not know the soul of man. Only God does (1Corinthians 4.5). But if this man confesses to be a follower of Christ–and he does–perhaps we should follow the Words of Christ on this one.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” –James 5.16
Jim Fedako says:
January 28, 2009 at 10:53 pm (UTC -5 )
In spite of myself, I did some additional research on Warren’s “prayer.” Did you know that media outlets caught the fact that Warren “included clear hat-tips to Judaism and Islam.”
The show Wretched from The Family Net also noted the same passage.
A man of God quoting the Koran in order to have a seat beside the president. Do we really believe that playing politics in prayer is godly? Yet we cheer the fact that the “almighty” president allowed Warren to speak. To speak what?
It’s amazing how we as Christians feel the need to find the new hero when our true hero — Jesus — wants us to find Him.
For those who want to see Warren as the next pastor of America, watch out. At best, Warren is just a man. At worst, who knows.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/01/20/rick-warrens-invocation-invokes-judaism-islam.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5cmVGTwBeo
Billie Dantzler says:
January 28, 2009 at 12:15 pm (UTC -5 )
I’m thankful that God does not have an end to His term. I’m thankful that Jesus Christ doesn’t have to run for office. So no matter what, our King is still the one in power – regardless of elections. Glad to see Rick Warren praying in the name of Jesus. Glad to world was listening to the name of Jesus Christ.
Jim Fedako says:
January 25, 2009 at 11:53 pm (UTC -5 )
When we pray, do we not speak to God on a personal level? If so, do we need to worry about what we say and how we say it? Or, is prayer just some minor component of the political process — the political game?
Warren’s prayer is the prayer we are warned not to pray. (“And whenever you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. I tell you with certainty, they have their full reward!” Mathew 6:5)
Is our relationship with God real or is it something akin to a sports game? Are we more concerned about whether or not Warren hit the home run than we are about what is in our own hearts? Do we really think that Warren could change the hearts of men simply by blessing government and all of its actions?
It is amazing how many Christians (myself included) concerned themselves with the Warren’s prayer. Would he — not He — say the right thing? In the end, our concerns were just another chasing after the wind.