Slice of Laodicea

Either someone at the National Day of Prayer Task Force is lying to callers, or the leadership has changed course regarding Dr. Zacharias’ Jesus-free prayer on their website for the National Day of Prayer. If the Task Force has had a change of heart, they owe it to the Christian public to say so. This is an email I just received. I would appreciate other readers calling the Task Force to establish what they are now telling people.

Dear Ingrid:

I called and talked with the National Day of Prayer.

By our fruits – we will be known, and I feel that if you would have looked at their fruits, that you would not have ‘unlovingly’ attacked them so. It is not true what you shared on your program, and that is sad that you have misled so many. If people did call and talk with the Nat Day of Prayer – they will learn the truth. Dr. Zacharias will be praying in the NAME OF JESUS.

I feel that Ingrid fell for one of satan’s tactics – dividing the church. Yes, honestly! You stated they would not return your call. That is not true. Dr. Zacharias will be using the NAME OF JESUS – he is a believer and if you would look at his fruits – you would know that.

Laura

Well, Laura, you are bearing false witness. I most assuredly did leave a call at the press office last Friday. I stated clearly what the call was about. They did not call me back at any time, and I don’t appreciate people lying about it. If Ravi and the Task Force have changed their position and Jesus’ name will be added to the official prayer now on their website, than we praise God. If not, somebody’s lying to you out there. Furthermore, nobody ever claimed that Dr. Zacharias wasn’t a believer. I would encourage you to get your facts straight before lobbing such a nasty allegation. Dr. Zacharias agreed to the unbiblical terms of the National Day of Prayer Task Force to leave Christ’s name out. I have that in writing from his ministry. You, Laura, have an obligation to defend that biblically and not from overtaxed emotions. If the Scripture really is the standard we claim it is, then use it to defend the absence of Christ’s name from a Christian prayer so as not to offend Jewish participants. I’ll give you a hint: There is no biblical defense for that.

Slice readers, I would be interested in what you are hearing from the NDP headquarters. If they are really telling people that Ravi is going to be praying in Jesus’ name, they’ve had a change of position. If there is no position change, somebody at headquarters is not telling the truth.

National Day of Prayer: Phone: (719) 531-3379

As it stands, this is the official 2008 Prayer for the National Day of Prayer, written by Ravi Zacharias.

Holy Father, in a world where so many are hungry,
You have given us food in abundance;

In a world where so many are hurting,
You offer to bind up our wounds;

In a world where so many are lonely,
You offer friendship to every heart;

In a world longing for peace,
You offer hope.

Yet, we are so stubborn and resistant.
Have mercy upon us, Lord.

Our nation is at a crossroads this year;
we look to you to be our strength and shield.

Please give us the guidance to elect one who will honor you
and to respond to the wisdom from above
so that our hope may be renewed and our blessings be treasured.

In God’s holy name.