I Excuse Myself From The National Day of Prayer

I am a Christian, but I often feel that title is fairly meaningless.  What seems to get most Christians stirred up either means nothing, or is offensive to me.

Take The National Day of Prayer.  I could not disagree more highly with my fellow Christians on this issue.  To me, the government not establishing or preventing the free exercise of religion could not be in more stark contrast to the concept of a National Day of Prayer.  If  the government does not establish or prevent, then it is passive. It is non-involved.  As much as it can, it seeks to stay out.  The only active part government should be playing in religion is its avoidance.

In the end, I think National Prayer Day is all about control.  It is about the Christian community asserting itself as the alpha-male.  In the wild, you will see animals engage in certain behaviors or acts of violence to solidify their role of dominance within the group.  The goal is to get the others to submit.

However, this in not the way of Christ.  The example set for us is not to be served, but to serve.

In my 26 years as a Christian, I have never had my free exercise of religion abridged.  I can pray pretty much anytime and in any way.  In that, the government has done exactly what it is supposed to do - nothing.

So, my Christian brother and sisters, I implore you:  lay down your need to control, let go of your perceived rights, be a gracious neighbor - take a pass on the National Day of Prayer.