Joshua Dubois (the man in the picture who is not the President) has been doing terrific work in Washington, serving the President as the head of the Faith Based Partnerships Council. Josh and I criss-crossed the country together during the campaign, and I found him to be a delightful and devout follower of Jesus. Recently Josh stood behind the President as he officially made today, May 7th a National Day of Prayer. Congrats, Josh. And thank you President Obama. Here is the official press release from the White House:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release May 7, 2009
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2009
- – - – - – -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Throughout our Nation’s history, Americans have come together in moments of great challenge and uncertainty to humble themselves in prayer. In 1775, as the Continental Congress began the task of forging a new Nation, colonists were asked to observe a day of quiet humiliation and prayer. Almost a century later, as the flames of the Civil War burned from north to south, President Lincoln and the Congress once again asked the American people to pray as the fate of their Nation hung in the balance.
It is in that spirit of unity and reflection that we once again designate the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer. Let us remember those who came before us, and let us each give thanks for the courage and compassion shown by so many in this country and around the world.
On this day of unity and prayer, let us also honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. We celebrate their commitment to uphold our highest ideals, and we recognize that it is because of them that we continue to live in a Nation where people of all faiths can worship or not worship according to the dictates of their conscience.
Let us also use this day to come together in a moment of peace and goodwill. Our world grows smaller by the day, and our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife; and to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. As we observe this day of prayer, we remember the one law that binds all great religions together: the Golden Rule, and its call to love one another; to understand one another; and to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.
The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a “National Day of Prayer.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2009, as a National Day of Prayer. I call upon Americans to pray in
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thanksgiving for our freedoms and blessings and to ask for God’s continued guidance, grace, and protection for this land that we love.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
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Thanks Don, but isnʻt he just following protocol here? And what do you make of him muting the white house ceremony?
I like the Prez, donʻt get me wrong, but Iʻm not sure this is anything significant.
that’s great! Now, let’s do what we are called to do, pray!
Is it odd only to me that God is mentioned only once at the very end? Can’t complain that much though, its a step in the better direction. We have the freedom to pray in this country unlike many other countries,I am thankful for that!
Doesn’t every president do this, every year on May 7th?
Shouldn’t the article and the headline reflect this more? That would seem to be a more accurate and honest representation of what happened, instead of making it seem like this was something Obama came up with.
I really respect your writing Don, but please don’t put out misleading headlines like this.
thanks!
Jesse, I hear what you’re saying but it seems to me that Obama’s toning down of the ceremonies and such at the white house is actually a good thing. Unlike his predecessor, he appears to be more interested in walking the walk instead of just talking the talk.
It goes along the same lines as when Obama, unlike most other candidates, frequently didn’t wear an American flag pin on his lapel during the campaign. Of this he said, “My attitude is that I’m less concerned about what you’re wearing on your lapel than what’s in your heart,” Obama said. “You show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who serve. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and ideals. That’s what we have to lead with, is our values and our ideals.”
It seems to me that the true worth is in BEING not SEEMING. I would much rather have a president who demonstrates his values by his actions instead of one who acknowledges Christ with his mouth and denies Christ with his dealings. I am not a devoted follower of any politician, but I will say I have much more respect for our current president than the man who held office before him.
This is inspiring. Indeed.
I have high hopes for developments such as this. In fact, you might say I hold these hopes audaciously.
I read David Kuo’s memoir of disheartening experiences supporting faith-based efforts during the last administration.
Don, I really appreciated you posting this. I used it on my JesusOrSquirrel blog as I was pretty unhappy at James Dobson for going after the President yesterday.
http://is.gd/xOOo
I guess it is easy to by cynical but I am not. I think this is great. My kids ages 11, 8 and 7 pray each night for our country. And for “President Obama. Help him to make wise decisions.” It can’t hurt.
The government should keep it’s nose out of religion… even though it hasn’t for a very long time, ie, right-wing neocon pandering to evangelicals.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Establishment_Clause
On the contrary, Christians should treat all forms of government like the writer of Revelation did: by realizing it’s a beast and calling it as such.
After a day of listening to the rants of people who are utterly upset about obama’s changes to bush’s days of prayer, it is nice to read this article- and it’s nice to read the text of his letter attached instead of just angry rants about what he’s NOT doing.
and frankly, i’d rather tax payer money go elsewhere to our troubles rather than to a big fancy breakfast that seems like a little too much pomp and expenditure, even if it’s somehow how we gauge our (“fiscally liberal”) president on whether or not he holds it.
wish more people would just read what he says and look at the big picture. after all, obama can’t “get God out of our country” as I keep hearing. Thanks for you post.
Megan, thanks for commenting. I guess I was just feeling the same way Jonathan Bowden was above you. Iʻm a big fan of the Don and Barack and just felt the blog headline was making an “Iʻll win some evangelicals over” kind of statement.
But I agree, we donʻt need anymore productions or shows we need to see change implemented.
Cheers.
Did you know:
- The USA’s National Motto is : “IN GOD WE TRUST”. I bet if you polled 100 people, 2 would get that correct. That motto is recent – 1960’s. Can you believe that? I had no idea until my pastor informed me of that.
- How about this scenario. Most schools- if not all – say the pledge of allegiance weekly, or daily. What about if at the end of the pledge the principal came over the loud speaker and said: “Ok school, we are now going to recite our nation’s national motto. Ready? Go! IN GOD WE TRUST” How much of an uproar would that cause??? It is crazy to think of the fallout and the reactions of parents, the community etc. When honestly, there really shouldn’t be! Just something to think about.
This nation needs prayer. Not just now, but constantly! Don is good in posting this. We were founded on Godly principles (See: Declaration of Independence”). We need God right now, and always!
Bush was the first President in our history to have a public ceremony in which he prayed. He did this because the religious right wished to have a public and government backed display in order to intimidate those who disagree with them. Obama is merely restoring the precedent, that while prayer is important to any believer, it is a private matter.
“But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.”
You are all totally right. He is definitely more spiritual for being less openly spiritual. This paradox is his trademark, and is why I love him. He in fact is out to help minorities when he denies them school choice, for example, because minorities after all don’t know what’s best for themselves, and school choice should be a private, not public matter. And he definitely knows how to help the helpless, by making sure more of them get killed. Fetuses are damn leeches anyways, and babies are private, not public matters.
I love blogs like this! So enlightened and urbane!
Go Don! Go Obama!!
I agree with Jesse and Jonathan, not really news-worthy since Bush did the same for the last 8 years. Don, maybe you could post a blog on how the Obama’s donate to charity! OK, every President does but the interesting part would be that their donations increased from 1% in 2004 to 6% since he made the decision to run for President. Of course I can’t blame him…if I’m going to have to pay for everyones healthcare and mortgage, my donations will probably go to 1% too…
[...] Don Miller posted this on his blog in a timely manner…I did not. [...]
I think it is so sad that you actually campaigned for this president. For goodness sake, he has a 100% record on abortion, favoring it at every stage of pregnancy.
Don, thanks for your note and advice (to read non-biased news sources). You want me to elucidate how I can say Obama has a 100% record, w/r/t abortion? How about the 100% rating he got from NARAL, the political action group that advocates no restrictions on abortion? Or the 100% rating he got from Planned Parenthood? Or the unqualified and enthusiastic thumbs up he received from them, celebrating his first 100 days in office?
How do you justify Obama’s support for partial birth abortion, a practice even many liberals and Democrats consider barbaric and worthy of outlaw?
By the way, I worked in the secular, mainstream media and I can tell you that bias is a very real problem in today’s media. And a lot of it is driven by antipathy to Christianity.
I want to add that I’m glad that some Christians (such as yourself) are going to be part of a committee that seeks to prevent abortion. I hope it is more than just a way to provide political cover.
FWIW, Bush promised his Christian supporters and staff that he would do grand, ambitious things with faith based initiatives, but other priorities just seemed to consume his initial, rosy intentions and little of substance moved out of the discussion phase. Which is why some of the people on the committee excused themselves, refusing to be used as political props. So, please hold this president to the same standard that principled conservatives held the previous president.
Respectfully submitted.
Different Derek than the one above.
Obama does such a great job of pandering to everyone. (American hating dictators, American hating preachers, suspected terrorists, who also hate America) Why should I be happy that he is pandering to people of prayer. I can care less what this president thinks about religion, he was elected to run a country. I am scared to see what America will look like at the end of this error.
So why is it that you anti-abortion folks come on blogs like this and berate Christians who disagree with you? What exactly are you trying to accomplish? We aren’t going to renounce our support for Obama, so you might as well find a better use for your time.
BTW on partial birth abortion, Obama voted against a ban because there was no exception in the bill to save the life of the mother.
Bert,
For the same reason that anti-slavery Christians didn’t shut up 150 years ago, even though they were repeatedly asked to.
“The life of the mother” issue has been abused over and over again. It is a canard. For instance, doctors routinely use this loophole even when there is absolutely no risk to the mother’s life, except for “her emotional well being”. Think I’m exaggerating? Read this story, written by a Chicago area nurse who discovered an abandoned baby in a soiled linen closet, and get back to me:
http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000007034.cfm
We will continue to speak out for justice and children until this type of bloodshed stops.
I can’t believe so many Christians fell for this guy. I honestly do not believe a true Christian, one who believes that the Bible is the Word of God, can be “pro-choice”. The contradiction is so clear and obvious. The mans track record on this issue speaks volumes. Don’t forget that one of the FIRST things he did when he became President was sign an executive order so that the US can now give federal funds (yes, YOUR tax dollars) to international groups performing abortions. How’s that for a Christian in “action”, Megan? He talks a good game and says all the right things — many of you fell for it hook, line and sinker. What a shame.
NO, Don is right on this one. Obama is doing the Lord’s work. Dead babies go to Heaven. More dead babies means more angels in Heaven. Therefore, Don is not a hyposrite at all.
(Also, more dead babies means fewer poor people, which Don wants. It also means fewer fatherless children, which Don wants. It means fewer dumb kids in school, which Don wants. It means fewer people on welfare, which Don may or may not want. It means fewer kids dying in wars, which Don wants. It means less strain on the environment, which Don wants. Etc.)
Yay Don!! You are so wise!
I am just wondering how you have felt about President Obama’s actions related to abortion since he has been President. In the campaign, he claimed *with his words* many things to ‘reduce’ abortions, etc. However, it seems to me that he has, by his actions, done the opposite.
Do you see it this way? Have you dialogued with anyone in his administration regarding this? Some Catholic leaders have described Obama as the ‘abortion President’ as well as describing many higher level abortion rights activists in his leadership appointments.
Since you were outspoken during the campaign about defending his positions, I am wondering if you have seen his actions in the Presidency defend your claims…
I would just be interested in any follow up to this conversation–
praying people have never needed a politically sanctioned day to get on their knees.
I really like the way Don answered the questions some of you all had regarding Obama’s stance on abortion and how he (Don) justified campaigning for Obama. Wait….let me read the comments again. Nevermind.
Megan, how can you say Obama is walking the walk rather than talking the talk. I can’t say that he isn’t, but you can’t say that he is. Neither of us knows what he does behind closed doors, but we can let his public actions speak for themselves.