First, I don’t think I am on the short list (or any list) of those who will be asked to pray at an inauguration.
Still, Dan Phillips of Pyromaniacs asked several Christian leaders (including me) whether or not they would pray at the inauguration of President Obama.
Prayer #1, John Frame, read here.
Prayer #2, Thabiti Anyabwile, read here.
Prayer #3- Chris Brauns, read here.
Update: Prayer #4-Phil Johnson, read here. Phil says he would decline.
Al Mohler recently indicated that he does not think he could accept the invitation to pray at the inauguration. (See here). He makes some good points.
However, I am inclined to say that I would accept, provided that there not be any conditions that would insist that I downplay my allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only true King.
Would you pray at the inauguration? What do you think?
I have to agree with you on this one. I don’t think I could pray if any conditions were laid out either.
I have a real problem with these public prayers anyway. I don’t disagree with having them, I just wonder are they praying to God or for the public? I think some of us get “caught up in the moment” and it goes to our head. Do you think God hears those prayers?
I agree with you that the consideration of whether or not to pray would largely depend on what if any stipulations were made. I wonder what I would pray. Scripture affirms government and even commands us to pray for the salvation of our leaders. I do not think I would use the prayer as a way to impose my faith on a largely unbelieving audience. What would it profit? I think the goal would be to please God first but to serve my fellow man as well.