Political Perceptions: What Kind of Prayer Will Warren Choose?

By Steven Waldman Now that Rick Warren has been selected to deliver the invocation (and a firestorm has ensued), there’s another important question: what kind of prayer will he deliver? Billy Graham , who has done quite a few of these, would usually close “in the name” of the Prince of Peace or some other allusion to Jesus. In 2001, his son, Franklin Graham , took a different approach, asking the listeners to “acknowledge You alone as our Lord, our Savior and Redeemer. We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Many people (myself included) believed that an official prayer, calling on the American people to acknowledge Jesus alone “our Lord” violated the First Amendment and the spirit of religious pluralism. CLICK HERE for the rest of Steven Waldman’s column. For more on the Rick Warren pick, take a look at today’s Political Wisdom too. (link)