God Left Out

No one likes the feeling of being left out when we want to be included.  There are times when a person deserves to be included in something, like the groom or bride at their wedding.  The name of father, mother and child ought to appear on a legal birth certificate.  If a person wants to offer to buy a car, the owner of the desired car for purchase ought to be involved in the process.  All would agree it would be wrong to exclude those who ought to be included, even if they aren't well liked by others.

I read a news article on President Biden's proclamation on the United States "National Day of Prayer" that the word "God" had been omitted.  Ironically when I went back to refer to the article an hour later the title of it had been changed from "'God' left out of Biden's National Day of Prayer Proclamation" to "Biden leaves out important word in National Day of Prayer Proclamation."  I imagine editors did this as clickbait, to arouse curiosity so people would want to know what important word had been left out that warrants an entire article.  Whether the differences between President Biden and other presidents is newsworthy, I cannot say.  I am not surprised when God is omitted from our thoughts, speech and decisions because this has been prevalent since the beginning.  It is not right:  the truth is men apart from God cannot always do right.

While some take issue with the word "God," my concern is more on the sentiments quoted by the press.  Quoting the article the President said, "Throughout our history, Americans of many religions and belief systems have turned to prayer for strength, hope and guidance," Biden's proclamation reads. "Prayer has nourished countless souls and powered moral movements – including essential fights against racial injustice, child labor and infringement on the rights of disabled Americans. Prayer is also a daily practice for many, whether it is to ask for help or strength, or to give thanks over blessings bestowed."  I have heard many Christians speak of the "power of prayer," yet any power connected to prayer comes by God's personal involvement.  From a biblical view there is no spiritual power in prayer in itself or as a discipline.  It is not prayer that nourishes, but God who causes the sun to shine on the just and unjust.  It is true that many pray, and it is the ability of the object of faith to receive and respond to the prayer that makes it effectual.  A stone image, deceased relatives, the sun, moon or stars have no power to answer prayers.  That is God's sovereign domain.

If we are going to ask for help or strength, it is important to realise who we are addressing.  If we are giving thanks, it is imperative we know who we are thanking.  Otherwise, prayer is an empty exercise and is a waste of time.  Prayer is not good because it is useful for us or has "worked" for others, but because it is primary way for believers to exercise faith in drawing near to God in obedience out of a recognised personal need for Him.  Whether people complain or cheer over the presidential proclamation is of little importance to me personally:  what is important is that Christians include God in their prayers, conversations and lives.  To think we could pray or read the Bible or serve one another--and God be left out!  Do I pray just to assert my will, desiring a heavenly stamp of approval, or bow in submission and reverence before my Creator?

Being left out when we deserve to be included is a travesty, and leaving out God who created and redeemed us is even more absurd.  By His grace God chooses to include sinners in His eternal plans for good, so it is most fitting and right we include Him in the present.