From My Perspective - - -

The expression – “they didn’t have a prayer” – is often used to describe a hopeless situation where one may be found. A car where the driver is not paying attention and crosses into the oncoming lane of traffic causes a head-on collision resulting in the death of unsuspecting and innocent individuals; the pilot informing the passengers on the airliner that the engines have failed and the plane will have to make a crash landing; the sloppy and unkempt high school student who attempts to date the Home-Coming-Queen – these and a host of many other unlikely possibilities bring about the expression – “they didn’t have a prayer.” Someone raised this interesting observation and question: “Why is it that in these and so many other apparently hopeless situations, people who never darken the doors of the church will use this expression, “They don’t have a prayer”? Is there some latent recognition that prayer really could make a difference?”

Let’s fast-forward to today when the Governor of Texas – Rick Perry – has announced and called for a Day of Prayer for our nation. He has called it – The Response! Why has he done it and how have people responded to it? The Washington Post reports: “The event, originally conceived by Perry before he started laying groundwork for a presidential campaign, is one of the most explicit appeals to conservative Christians by any of the Republican hopefuls, and it will closely link his candidacy to his evangelical faith if he decides to run. Evangelical Christians make up a critical voting bloc that could comprise more than half of the voters in some of the GOP primaries. But liberals are criticizing Perry, highlighting the controversial comments of some of the people he has invited to participate. And some Republicans worry that the Texas governor could hurt his prospects of winning the general election if he chooses to emphasize religion rather than his record of job creation…Perry invited his fellow governors to the event, but so far, only Kansas Republican Sam Brownback has said he will come…Perry says the day is inspired by the words of the Old Testament Book of Joel in which the prophet calls on the Hebrew people to pray, fast and ask for God’s forgiveness. The Texas governor argues that America similarly needs to ask for God’s help today because it is a nation in crisis. We have been besieged by financial debt, terrorism, and a multitude of natural disasters…As a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles, and thank Him for the blessings of freedom we so richly enjoy.” Hopefully, people will respond affirmatively!

There have been negative responses to the Governor calling for such a meeting. Many represent the same groups that oppose any religious appeal in the public arena. Regrettably, these negative groups have seemingly won the day in most situations. Could it be that the so-called Christian Community who call themselves “believers” have lacked the backbone to take a stand and to participate in prayer? It may very well be that an underlying factor is that the “Church” has lost its way. When people gather weekly in a building called “The Church”, why have they come? Do they come to Worship…Pray…Seek the Face of Almighty God – or – are they merely maintaining a tradition and ritual? A Biblical Model for Worship could easily be John 4:22-24, “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know…the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." A Biblical Model for Prayer could easily be II Chronicles 7:14-16 after the Temple had been completed, “…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.” When you attend “your Church”, don’t be identified with those of whom it was said – "They Didn’t Have A Prayer!” Come and gather to Worship and Pray as modeled by the Word of the Lord? Consider these things with me?