Dear Editor:
I feel directed to comment on something that I have been reading in the news, about prayer in Provincial Legislature and political prayer breakfasts and inclusivity for both.
I hold to the separation of Church and State, and believe that neither should attempt to control the other, therefore the fact that there’s prayer at these political gatherings, and the comments of the premier of Manitoba, the Honourable Wab Kinew, in the news caught my attention. (see: CBC-Manitoba Premier wants Legislature prayer to be more inclusive.)
Mr. Kinew feels that the prayer to open the Legislature should be brought up to date, to be less antiquated and more inclusive of other religions. He appears to take offence with prayer opening with the acknowledgement of whom the prayer (or conversation) is addressed.
According to the Holy Bible, the Word of the true and living God and the Creator and sustainer of all things, prayer is speaking to, and listening to the God who created us, and calls us to a relationship with Him through the salvation provided be the sacrifice of The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, on the cross of Calvary.
The author of Salvation made it clear how His followers should pray. Following are a few passages from His Word, the Holy Bible:
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13
(Jesus said this) “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” Matthew 6: 9-13
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, . . . “ Matthew 11:25a
“Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.” Psalm 5:2
When Jesus prayed, He spoke to His Father and addressed Him first, and taught His followers to do likewise. Only prayer to the true and only God of Heaven, according to His Word, is prayer.
Christianity is inclusive in the sense that the invitation for a saving relationship with our creator is offered to all. Matthew 11: 28-30, “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Though the way to heaven is open to all to come, the path is followed by few.
Matthew 7:13,14, “Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
According to the words of Jesus, in the Word of God, there is only one way to eternal life in heaven. John 10:6, “Jesus saith unto him (Thomas), I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
We can not have it both ways. We either pray (or commune) with the only true and living God according to His Will and His Word as truly saved children of God, or we are at best, talking to the wind, or at worst, worshiping and communing with false deities.
I pray that all truly saved Christian politicians in Canada, in light of this latest attack on Christianity, would seek God’s Will for their future in the unbiblical inclusivity practices of the current political arena.
Mary Anne Crocker
Coronation, Alta.