Jeez, it seems the way to get traffic and comments on this blog is to post something controversial! (And it's interesting to see who's visiting the same post again and again without actually leaving any comments.) All righty, then, if that's what it takes...

Today is the American National Day of Prayer, an annual event sponsored by James Dobson's "Focus on the Family". What does one do during the National Day of Prayer? According to the Virginia chapter:

In 2004, approximately 40,000 events were held nationwide. Local volunteers and coordinators held a variety of activities ranging from prayer breakfasts, Bible reading marathons, concerts of prayer, rallies, church prayer vigils, student flagpole gatherings and observances held in sports stadiums.. In addition, Christian leaders address the current year's theme and other areas of interest (i.e. education, youth, families, etc.).

I remember seeing such events in Tampa; they held prayer rallies every year in a small park downtown. Sometimes they'd have religious leaders giving sermons and leading the crowd in prayer over a loudspeaker; sometimes people would pray en masse; and occasionally they would encourage passers-by to join them in prayer.

And yet, every year I can't help thinking: Isn't there something in the Bible about praying in public? Oh yes, so there is:

5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Now, every time a vocally Christian congressman introduces a bill to permit public prayer in schools, I'm impressed that he's willing to promote such religious freedom even though it contradicts the teachings of his own religion. But I don't understand why so many Christians go out of their way to reject those teachings one day every year. Perhaps someone could enlighten me (be nice, now).