The City of Lake Forest recently had a contentious discussion as to whether they should begin city council meetings with an invocation. It ended with the council deciding to begin their city council meetings with prayer. You can read more about it here: http://www.ocregister.com/news/want-500577-council-city.html .
I have served in three elected bodies. Two of them began with prayer. The first elected body had at one time alternated local clergy who provided the invocation. A change in law forced it to change to a nondescript prayer that gave no preference to any particular faith.
The second elected body alternated two chaplains who opened the meetings with prayer. The first chaplain was a reformed rabbi and the second a greek orthodox priest. I really liked the priest who would push the envelope of what was permitted. Had the other chaplain been a conservative or orthodox rabbi the prayer would have also been more to my liking. The third elected body was a school board. Need I say more? For the record, I'm a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
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Many of those who desire to begin public meetings with prayer are christians who go on the defense and say it could be to any god those in attendance wish. They just want to begin in prayer because they are religious and believe the meeting would benefit from asking God for assistance.
I would rather have no invocation then to water down a prayer designed not to offend. The gospels are very clear that to be professed christian opens you up to sharp criticism.
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In fact, I wonder what the Lord's response would be to christian who tries to make their public prayers palatable those who aren't christain. What is the point? Doing so makes an idol out of government and detracts from the message of salvation in Christ.
This is why I don't attend Mayor's Prayer Breakfasts. I don't find there to be much prayer at these events. The keynotes are inspirational speakers. What has this got to do with Christ? Nothing and that is the point.
I would point out that there is one exception. The City of Westminster doesn't sponsor their Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. It is sponsored by local churches and comes with a whole lot of Jesus.
I respect the right of everyone to worship as they see fit. We have that freedom. Watering down public prayer detracts from non christians' beliefs as well. In trying to respect everyone we respect no one.
Do you think city council and school board meetings should begin with prayer?
