Let Them Pray

Over the weekend, I watched a television worship service and then listened as the Pastor of the church explained about a problem he was aware of regarding US Chaplains. It seems that recently the Christian Chaplains had been instructed not to end their prayers "in Jesus' name." Apparently someone in the higher ranks was afraid that praying in Jesus' name might offend some other religions. Seems strange but the Christian Chaplains were told to pray Jewish prayers. Now the US military service has all sorts of chaplains, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and probably some other varieties. Each of them conducts services and ministers to all of their charges without trying to proselyte members. They simply offer pastoral care in their own tradition for persons who are hurting.

This article got my attention on a couple of levels. First, of course, is what would rankle most people's nerves, the singling out of Christian Chaplains for the wording of their prayers. Would not a Jewish prayer potentially offend a Christian? Or a Muslim prayer offend a Jew? The answer is obvious, of course that could happen. So why single out the Christian Chaplains? That wasn't made clear in the article. The Pastor was simply pointing out a new problem in our Military system and a new way of persecuting Christian ministers for doing their job.

On another level, I wondered if our prayers, to be in Jesus' name, needed to have those words at the end. I mean, doesn't prayer in Jesus' name have more to do with one's attitude and commitment than with the words at the end? Can a person who doesn't ever serve Jesus or pretend to have a relationship with Jesus, get further with God if he or she uses the "magic" words at the end of a prayer?

So, yes, I am concerned that someone would be so picky as to fire a US Navy Chaplain, who is a Christian, for praying "in Jesus' name." But I am also concerned by those who claim the name of Christian and never live as Jesus lived. What about you? Do you think being a Christian is about saying certain words or is it more about living as a disciple? I'd love to talk with you about it. Allen