I can’t read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 and think it helps. In fact, it appears trying to have pagans say prayers and Christians say prayers together as some common bond is one of the worst ideas imaginable. How many times throughout scripture does God frown on intentional union on a spiritual level with pagans? Here’s just one example.
Judges 2:11-23 (New American Standard Bible)
11 Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, 12 and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger. 13 So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. 14 The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had spoken and as the LORD had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed.
16 Then the LORD raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them. 17 Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do as their fathers. 18 When the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways. 20 So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers and has not listened to My voice, 21 I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, 22 in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.†23 So the LORD allowed those nations to remain, not driving them out quickly; and He did not give them into the hand of Joshua.
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Christians are not to bow and take part in prayers to false gods.
1 Corinthians 10:19-23 (New American Standard Bible)
19 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?
23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
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So I’m just feeling great sorrow when reading things such as is noted in the following.
Policy and Prayer Mark Obama’s First Day in Office (emphasis added)
…
But before he tackled matters of commerce and state, President Obama took time to seek divine guidance.
His first public appearance of the day was at the last official inaugural event – a prayer service at the National Cathedral.
The president sat in the front pew as Reverend Andy Stanley led the congregation in a prayer.
“Grant to Barack Obama, President of the United States, and to all in authority, your grace and goodwill,” he said. “Bless them with your heavenly gifts, give them wisdom and strength to know and to do your will.”
Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu clergy took part in the service – an inaugural tradition dating back to George Washington.
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Seeing people who claim to be Christians having themselves used for grandstanding prayers is bad enough, but seeing the joining with pagans in it all is so profoundly sad. I mean this all had to come to pass, because we were told many would fall away, but it’s really so sad 
.
The program from the event is here.
And I want to point out the names of some people I noticed who offered prayers at the event. These are just some names I noticed and wanted to point out, not a list of everyone. I’m sure if some of you read the program yourselves you’ll likely find other names that stand out to you personally.
- Cynthia L. Hale, Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Decatur, Georgia. I’m sure you who read this blog and are in the Atlanta area know of her.
- Andy Stanley, Founding Pastor, North Point Community Church, Alpharetta, Georgia. That is Charles Stanley’s son.
- Rabbi David N. Saperstein, Director and Counsel, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Washington, District of Columbia
- Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President, Islamic Society of North America and Director of Center for Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, Hartford Seminary
- Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, Rabbi, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, New York, New York
- The Reverend Jim Wallis, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sojourners, Washington, District of Columbia
- Dr. Uma Mysorekar, Hindu Temple Society of North America, Queens, New York
- Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, New York, New York
- Kirbyjon Caldwell, Senior Pastor, Windsor Village United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas. I’ve warned about him here, more than once.
- Donald W. Wuerl, S.T.D., Archbishop of Washington, Washington, District of Columbia. Roman Catholic.
- Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. See how messed up she is here.
- Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary, Reformed Church in America.
Saints, don’t join yourselves with pagans and feel somehow God will hear your prayers. It only provokes the Lord’s jealous anger. Those seeking peace and love from God are provoking His wrath!
I’m left with nothing to say but come quickly Lord Jesus!
