PRAYING PUBLICLY AT CIVIC GATHERINGS

There are times when I’ve been asked to pray at a public event in the community.  I consider it to be a privilege and want to pray sensitively to the audience, but direct the words to God.

As a Christian, how am I to pray in these situations?

Here’s my current list of conscientious prayer reminders:

1.  Don’t show off.  Jesus chided the Pharisees for using prayer as a way to brag about their spirituality.  No trumpets on the street corner.

2. Keep the prayer appropriate to the request for it.  Who is asking you to pray and why?  In addition to the public prayer, I can always pray privately about how God wants to use me in the gathering as I meet people.

3. Pray to the God you know.  In multi-faith environments, there may be an expectation that you will pray to a generic God that fits all religions.  While there may be a sensitivity to all faith groups gathered, you represent your own faith group and that should be expected.  Pray intelligently in words that specifically address your God and are respectful and redemptive to all present.

4.  Pray and act as God’s ambassador.  You are representing in these situations and it’s more important that you are humble and approach with a servant’s heart.  This is not your opportunity to set the agenda of the gathering.

I was recently invited to say grace at the dedication of a new power plant producing cleaner, more efficient electricity.  It was held at the reception center of Hiram Walker distillery and was stacked with community leaders, industrial magnates and politicians.  I sit on a neighborhood redevelopment committee that received $300,000 from the new project to improve the environment.

Here’s the grace I prayed before the meal:

To the One who dwells in the Holy City, the Almighty Sovereign of Creation, we give thanks for this day of new beginnings and generous blessings.

May these good works and accomplishments that we celebrate be a reminder of your provision and compassion for people everywhere.  May we be inspired to new acts of justice and mercy, thoughtful connections and inspired vision.

Help us to see how kindness and generosity can empower our neighbors to live with ‘Shalom’ towards one another.

For this food, for our civic officials and leaders of industry and community, we give thanks.

Amen