(By Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post). For the first time in eight years, progressive congregations throughout the United States will find themselves under a president who is opposed to many of their views. One congregation in California, All Saints Episcopal Church of Pasadena, garnered national headlines earlier this month for its refusal to pray for President Donald Trump by name.
“We are in a unique situation in my lifetime where we have a president elect whose name is literally a trauma trigger to some people,” said All Saints Church Rector Mike Kinman, as report by local media outlet Pasadena Now.
“Whereas before we prayed for ‘Barack, our president,’ we are now praying for ‘our president, our president elect, and all others in authority.’ This practice will continue for at least the near future.”
Other theologically progressive congregations may not take such a step, but rather will focus on praying that Trump will turn away from the controversial rhetoric and proposals from the campaign season.
The Rev. Alice Rose Tewell, associate pastor at The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., told The Christian Post that her congregation will “pray for our political leaders from all backgrounds during our worship service.”
Tewell made no mention of any policy of censoring Trump’s name, instead citing 1st Timothy 2:1-2, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.”
“We have and we will continue to pray that our next president would act on with justice and mercy for each person throughout our nation and the world,” said Tewell.
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C.S. Lewis is famous for saying it always helps to call something by its proper name. When applied to all things PCUSA and its leftist associates it helps one’s thinking to consider the organization as one would the DNC, NARL, NOW. A domestic NGO or a political, lobbying entity. In that context who or whom NYAPC or any other leftist entity chooses to pray for, to, whom, and under what circumstance becomes more logical if not understandable. Much like the very well PCUSA publicized “Women’s” march on the 21st. Are all women welcome? Of course not. Are all points of view or reference respected? Of course not. Inclusivity, welcome, fellowship is only offered to their ideological sycophants and supporters. Such is the PCUSA. Its makes perfect sense when you call them by their proper name.
They actually say prayers at All-Saints? (As in, to a sovereign invisible God who hears and answers prayer)? I guess they’re more traditional than I would have thought.