April 30, 2010
Now more than ever, many Christians believe there is much to pray about in America on May 6, the National Day of Prayer. At the same time they gather to pray, they will stand firm and remember the rich heritage of prayer in the United States.
That feeling is especially strong after April 15, when Senior U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb's struck down the federal statute that sets a day for the National Day of Prayer.
In a Twitter message sent shortly after Crabb's ruling, the Obama administration said it intends to recognize this year's National Day of Prayer on May 6, as it recognized the day in 2009. President Barack Obama has also said that his administration will appeal the ruling.
"I think what the judge has done is that she has brought the National Day of Prayer to the forefront. Nobody was talking about the National Day of Prayer until this judge said it's unconstitutional," said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse. Graham also serves as honorary chairman of this year's National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDPTF).
"Now all of the sudden, people are thinking about it, talking about it and they see this as another erosion of our religious freedoms. In some ways, I'm very grateful for the timing of this. I think what maybe the devil meant for harm, God's going to turn around and use it for good."
Shortly after Graham commented on Crabb's ruling, he found himself at the center of another National Day of Prayer uproar. On April 22, the buzz continued when Graham reported that the Army had withdrawn an invitation for him to appear at a special Pentagon prayer service. They allegedly rescinded because of previous remarks he made about Islam in 2001.
After the slight, the NDPTF pulled out of the Pentagon event. The Army has reported that the event will still take place without the group's participation.
"I regret that the Army felt it was necessary to rescind their invitation to the National Day of Prayer Task Force to participate in the Pentagon's special prayer service. I want to express my strong support for the United States military and all our troops. I will continue to pray that God will give them guidance, wisdom and protection as they serve this great country," said Graham in a statement on Monday.
On Sunday, President Obama visited famed evangelist Billy Graham at his North Carolina home, where they prayed together. Franklin Graham, the evangelist's son, was also present. During their meeting, Graham said the prayer invitation was brought up and President Obama said he would look into it.
More news swirled late on Monday as a Muslim civil liberties group urged Congress to disinvite Franklin Graham from attending the congressional National Day of Prayer event, which will be held May 6 on Capitol Hill.
On Tuesday, National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDPTF) Chairman Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson, said, "Suggesting Mr. Graham should be removed from a National Day of Prayer event because of his religious opinions is absurd. No one understands better the need for prayer at this critical juncture in our nation's history. The son of Franklin and Jane Graham is currently serving our military efforts overseas on his fourth combat tour… Our nation's founders wouldn't have tolerated it, and neither should we."
Opposition to the ruling is widespread among evangelical Christians.
"The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for all Americans to pray voluntarily according to their own faith," said Joel Oster, Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) senior counsel. "It does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, and this decision should be appealed."
Crabb's court order does not demand that the 59th National Day of Prayer be canceled, nor does it affect presidential prayer proclamations. The ruling will not go into effect unless the decision stands after all appeals in the case are exhausted.
