January 9, 2006

"Praying in Jesus Name"

There is a big controversy brewing in the statehouse of Indiana about prayer. A federal judge has ruled that the prayers offered each day at the opening of a session of the House must be generic, non-offensive, and specifically cannot mention the name of Jesus.

How did we arrive at such a strange controversy and such a bizarre ruling? For years the Speaker of the House has been inviting clergy and religious leaders of various faiths to offer these prayers, and of course each leader prayed in his or her own tradition. That seems fair and appropriate. I would not expect a Jewish Rabbi to pray in any way other than that of Jewish Rabbi. I would not expect a Muslim Imam to pray in another way that than of a good Muslim. Likewise I would expect any Christian cleric or religious leader to pray in the name of Jesus. However, some religious leaders apparently have abused the privilege of praying for the state legislature, and they have moved way beyond praying in their own tradition to conducting mini-revivals. So the federal judge has ruled that such sectarian prayers are not allowed, and he has specifically banned anyone from praying in the name of Jesus.

That decision is most likely a violation of the First Amendment. True diversity and tolerance means that we allow each person to be faithful to their own tradition. Religious tolerance does not mean having our prayers and religious rituals watered down to the lowest common denominator, to some kind of innocuous civil religion which offends no one but which has no content at all.

On the other hand, many Christian groups are reacting to the judge's decision in ways which seem anything but Christlike. Those groups seem to miss the whole point about praying in Jesus name. Indeed, praying in Jesus name is not a magical phase to add onto any prayer. Asking God to grant our desires in Jesus name is no guarantee that God will say "Yes." No, to pray in Jesus name is to pray for the same things and in the same way that Jesus would pray. To pray in Jesus name is to so identify with the values of Jesus that our prayers are in sync with Jesus. To pray in the name of Jesus is to pray for our enemies, to pray for the poor, to pray for peace, to pray for forgiveness as we offer forgiveness, and to pray for the Kingdom of God to come into reality in our world.

I have not been asked to pray for the state legislature, but under the current circumstances (under the ruling of the federal judge), I would have to decline if I were invited. When I pray I always use the name of Jesus. But more importantly, I hope that I always pray in the name and spirit of Jesus.

from Bishop Michael J. Coyner

Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church
"Making a Difference ... in Indiana
and around the world"

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