Praying politically
RECENTLY, THE Rev Fr Patrick Conroy, US Congress Chamber Chaplain, resigned after outgoing Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan demanded his termination. Seven years ago, Conroy was appointed by then Speaker of the House John Boehner as the first Jesuit priest in that position. He has the unenviable position as the first US House Chaplain to be forced out. And what was his fault? It is alleged that he prayed politically. Apparently, some Republicans claimed his prayers were too supportive of persons who are poor.
The prayer that is alleged to be too political went like this, ‘May all members be mindful that the institutions and structures of our great nation ... guarantee the opportunities that have allowed some to achieve great success, while others continue to struggle. May their efforts these days guarantee that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans’. It is claimed that Ryan told him ‘you just got to stay out of politics’ [April 27, Lawmakers ask why the congressional chaplain ‘was asked to resign’ BBC].
Not sure why Ryan got involved in the prayer because Conroy was not praying to him but to God. Unless he is saying God is displeased with the prayer/petition, then he should just let it go. Let God reject the prayer and be assured that if it is not pleasing to God then nothing will come of the petition.
Could Jamaican pastors be truthfully accused of prayers that were in solidarity with persons who are poor? Do we sense that the petitions offered to God at prayer breakfasts, national events, on electronic media and weekly congregational worship are supportive of persons who are living below the poverty line, exploited economically and exposed to violence and sexual abuse?
Politicians down the ages feared prayer and feared God answering the petition. During slavery, the political authorities beheaded many enslaved persons because they dared to pray to God. In fact, the beheadings were done publicly to teach a lesson that the enslaved persons should not pray without permission. However, this did not stop them from praying to the true and living God. Moreover, the enslaved persons had a spirit of discernment and walked out of churches when it was felt the sermon was not in their interest and was not advancing the cause of Christ. In addition, on few occasions politicians have been upset by prayers and sermons at National Leadership Prayer Breakfasts.
Praying politically is not so much about saying the right words to get the desired effect. It is not a buttering up of God in order to get our way. It is not to be used where we tell God if He grants us our wishes then we will serve Him. Rather, intercessory praying is a means to express solidarity with the least of the brethren.
Prayer is to communicate with God with thanksgiving for all His goodness towards us through pardoning us for our sins, protecting us from the Evil One, and for providing for us according to His wisdom. When we pray to God we are acknowledging our dependence on God for strength to carry out service to God and our fellow human beings.
Perhaps, just perhaps, if pastors were praying supportive of persons who are poor, then those who gain money by corrupt means and oppress people would get upset at church services and prayer breakfasts. Pastors must take a stand and pray in support of those who are poor.
PS: By the way, Conroy has been reinstated. God heard his prayers.