For those of you unaware, Thursday marked America’s National Day of Prayer.
Hence, on Wednesday, President Joe Biden issued an announcement.
Missing from Joe’s “Proclamation on National Prayer Day“: any mention of God.
It was an odd choice for the avid churchgoer.
Q: Will "devout Catholic" @JoeBiden use his faith to guide him in policymaking?@PressSec: "He does attend church nearly every weekend… certainly it's a guide to him as a human being." pic.twitter.com/qC67bH1ekX
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 3, 2021
In his declaration, the Commander-in-Chief did manage to reference religion.
Also: moral moves and “belief systems.”
Throughout our history, Americans of many religions and belief systems have turned to prayer for strength, hope, and guidance. Prayer has nourished countless souls and powered moral movements…
“Prayer is…a daily practice for many, whether it is to ask for help or strength, or to give thanks over blessings bestowed,” he pointed out.
Additionally, Biden said the Constitution protects “the rights of free speech and religious liberty, including the right of all Americans to pray.”
Call it curbed enthusiasm.
How about at least an attaboy to good fortune?
Bingo:
We celebrate our incredible good fortune that, as Americans, we can exercise our convictions freely — no matter our faith or beliefs.
Eventually, Joe tipped his hat to “prayers, however they are delivered” and wished that we’ll “rise above our differences, and come together as one Nation to meet this moment in history.”
We’ve come quite a ways since Ronald Reagan.
From his Proclamation 4826 — National Day of Prayer, 1981:
Our Nation’s motto — “In God We Trust” — was not chosen lightly. It reflects a basic recognition that there is a divine authority in the universe to which this Nation owes homage.
Throughout our history, Americans have put their faith in God. And no one can doubt that we have been blessed for it. …
It was the hard work of our people, the freedom they enjoyed, and their faith in God that built this country and made it the envy of the world. …
While never willing to bow to a tyrant, our forefathers were always willing to get to their knees before God. When catastrophe threatened, they turned to God for deliverance. When the harvest was bountiful, the first thought was thanksgiving to God.
Prayer is today as powerful a force in our Nation as it has ever been. We as a Nation should never forget this source of strength. And while recognizing that the freedom to choose a Godly path is the essence of liberty, as a Nation we cannot but hope that more of our citizens would, through prayer, come into a closer relationship with their Maker.
In closing, President Reagan asked “all who believe” to “join with [him] in giving thanks to Almighty God for the blessings He has bestowed on this land and the protection He affords us as a people. ”
“With unshakeable faith in God,” he concluded, “we as a free Nation will surely survive and prosper.”
How’d that end up going?
Whatever, the case, Joe took the opportunity to bulls-eye virtuous causes:
Prayer has…powered moral movements — including essential fights against racial injustice, child labor, and infringement on the rights of disabled Americans.
Amid our triumph, “diversity”:
These freedoms have helped us to create and sustain a Nation of remarkable religious vitality and diversity across the generations.
Catholic Biden backed “balm,” as he targeted enemies:
Today, we remember and celebrate the role that the healing balm of prayer can play in our lives and in the life of our Nation. As we continue to confront the crises and challenges of our time — from a deadly pandemic, to the loss of lives and livelihoods in its wake, to a reckoning on racial justice, to the existential threat of climate change — Americans of faith can call upon the power of prayer to provide hope and uplift us for the work ahead.
The Leader of the Free World prayerfully and religiously praised…determination:
As the late Congressman John Lewis once said, “Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society. Why? Because human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on this planet.”
Call it a contrast: Whereas Reagan heralded humility before one’s Creator, Biden propped the power of people and politics.
Perhaps it adequately crystallizes the culture.
These aren’t the days of prostration.
As I previously wrote:
We live in the age of the selfie stick. Across a global electronic miracle, we post photos of ourselves on pages created by ourselves to showcase…ourselves.
As for Biden’s not-very-faith-based praise of faith, some online had thoughts.
CBN Chief Political Analyst David Brody asked, “How do you release a proclamation about prayer and not mention God at all?”
Joe Biden’s National Day of Prayer Proclamation has been released and it doesn’t even mention God once! How do you release a proclamation about prayer and not mention God at all? Of course it mentions climate change & racial justice. Truly, this is pathetic…and not surprising! pic.twitter.com/czOQx3ioHj
— David Brody (@DavidBrodyCBN) May 6, 2021
Rev. Franklin Graham appeared perplexed, as well:
Why would President @JoeBiden omit God? Today marks the 70th annual #NationalDayOfPrayer & President Biden is the first @POTUS to omit the word “God” in his proclamation. That speaks volumes doesn’t it? https://t.co/YSdwcSLUvq
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 6, 2021
Former Trump legal team member Jenna Ellis proposed, “It looks like a DNC memo.”
Joe Biden's Godless Prayer Proclamation: no mention of God or even a Bible quote! Instead we get a quote from John Lewis and a proclamation invoking climate change. It looks like a DNC Memo! @DavidBrodyCBN’s analysis on @RealAmVoice & @JustTheNews is here! #NationalDayofPrayer pic.twitter.com/rTCYIq01gi
— Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) May 6, 2021
On the plus side, regardless of one’s thoughts on the president’s choice of words, it likely served the traditional purpose.
For those who believed it celebrated intercession, his address encouraged prayer.
For those who saw it as a disturbing report on America, surely much prayer was held — because we’re going to need it.
-ALEX
See more pieces from me:
Military Generals Call for Increased Diversity, Encourage More Women in Combat
School District Apologizes for Including White Students in ‘Support Circles’ After Chauvin Verdict
Find all my RedState work here.
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