Here's a YouTube clip of Donald Miller's prayer at the Democratic National Convention:
WOW! Donald Miller praying at the DNC. Interestingly, in his blog post and in his prayer he talks about our need for unity (together, hello). It's so exciting, it seems like we may actually be making progress toward greater unity and gracious dialogue.
(Also, check-out his strategic tactic to get more people to follow him on twitter!)
What do you think of the prayer? What would your prayer be at the DNC?
Hey Jesse,
We’ve had some comments about Don’s prayer over at his fan site. A large majority of folks felt disappointed that Don didn’t specifically mention that Jesus died for our sins. They weren’t happy with his line about Jesus giving his life to “fight injustice”. Others were upset that he listed off a bunch of issues from the Democrat’s talking points but failed to mention abortion.
Personally, I think they’re missing the point. Don was asked by the Democrats to pray, not to come preach. And since his prayer had to be approved by someone at the DNC, he couldnt just walk in there and start talking about abortion when clearly they would not have OKed him to do that. SO what’s he going to do, hijack the prayer and start going off-script? not if he’s smart.
I don’t know, I feel like sometimes people just want to fling truth into any situation without context, thinking “well hey, it’s truth, so it’s got to be a good thing.” But there’s a reason you don’t walk into your office and shout out “Jesus dies for our sins. Believe in Him or you’ll never be reconciled to God!”. We dont do that because the context is all wrong. Just because it’s truth doesn’t mean we have carte blanche to throw it in wherever we want.
If Don would have tried to use his platform of the DNC prayer to preach truth at a room full of politicians and pundits, would it really have made a difference? Would God have been more glorified had Don laid out a precise gospel message? Would the hearts of the attendees have been touched had Don asked for repentance for our countries abortions? I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think so. And hey, maybe Don’s prayer, because he was using rhetoric familiar to democrats, will open up a conversation with some of them that otherwise would never have happened?
didnt mean to be this long-winded...just have a strong opinion on this…
bryan
Comment by bryan allain - Aug 27, 2008 @ 08:45 AM
I am glad that Cameron Strang turned down the opportunity. It is my hope that Don’s prayer wasn’t written by himself. Quite frankly the fact that the prayer offered walked right down the DNC policy points was offensive and I would be just as offended, actually probably more, if the RNC has someone “pray” down their policy points next week.
I wasn’t expecting a sermon from Don towards the audience and was surprised to hear him say “Jesus” but I didn’t expect his prayer to be as partisan as it was.
Again I am glad Cameron Strang turned down the opportunity as I would have dropped my subscription had he offered the same prayer.
I think Christians are to be involved in politics but I don’t think we are to be the tool of either party.
Comment by utech - Aug 27, 2008 @ 01:27 PM
Bryan, great thoughts. From what I’ve heard, Don Miller is a registered Democrat, and I love that about him.
As a liberal Christian/Democrat myself, I hope that the conservatives realize that not every Christian is as judgmental as the right has become. As a friend of mine (a passionate follower of Andy Stanley’s teachings) likes to say, “if Jesus were alive today, he’d be a Democrat”. This is a hugely unpopular thing to say in the South unfortunately.
Comment by mws - Aug 27, 2008 @ 04:36 PM
well let me start by saying that there is no way that jesus would be a democrat OR a republican. i say that because there is no way that either side has got it completely right. i believe he would say neither ( joshua 5:13-14).
but when it comes to the prayer, i think don owned it. i really liked what he had to say. he was honest and true. he said things that needed to be said at that moment in time. im not trying to bash anyone because i see where they are coming from but this is all my opinion and how i saw it.
joebrim.
Comment by joebrim - Aug 28, 2008 @ 01:36 AM