A fine line between prayer and spreading ‘the good news’

The opinions of the responding clergy to the matter of prayers at

government events (“Church, state and deities,” Aug. 7) in the

Pilot’s “In Theory” column, caused me to reflect on some personal

encounters.

Several years ago, I was asked to chair a Fourth of July parade in

the neighborhood where we live. I chose to add to the program a

benediction, much in keeping with the tradition in our country’s

history of thanking him from whom all blessings flow -- a practice

especially relevant to ceremonies marking the Declaration of

Independence, the reason we celebrate the Fourth. I invited our local

pastor to lead the prayer, but a denizen was worried that the

Christian rector might mention the “J”-word in his prayer and went so

far as to confront him prior to his appearance and warn him to stay

neutral. He was compliant and gracious. That was in 1995.

At the ecumenical services in the National Cathedral following the

attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a Methodist pastor from Houston read a

psalm and said a prayer, after which he requested permission of the

assembled to ask God’s blessing in the name of his savior, Jesus

Christ. I was struck by this request and called his office the

following week to ask for a copy of his remarks. He faxed me a

hand-written version of what he had said.

Oftentimes these days, Christians are asked to ease off when

making a prayer in a public place. It’s as if some are asking them to

forgo their faith for a moment just because there are others around

who might be offended. If you are a devout Christian, you know that

spreading “the good news” is your bound duty. But respect for others

is part of the social contract we make with one another.

For the past three years, I have lead a benediction at the opening

day of Lido Isle Yacht Club. I cobbled the prayer together using “The

Book of Common Prayer” and have been complimented on it by observant

Jews in our neighborhood. At the end of the prayer, I say the

following: “Respecting all who love and serve God in their faith, I

request your permission to ask for his eternal blessing on this day:

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” And then I

say “Amen.”

The first year, I glanced up to see a little girl cross herself as

I finished the prayer. Hopefully this is a sign that she will take

heed of the Scriptures, and when she grows up and is invited to lead

a prayer at a public gathering, she will remember who she is and “be

not afraid.”

KEN LARSON

Newport Beach