Dr. Ravi Zacharias and the National Day of Prayer: Where is the name of Jesus?
Posted: 04/24/2008
Dr. Ravi Zacharias and the National Day of Prayer: Where is the Name of Jesus?
For many years I have appreciated the apologetic work of Dr. Ravi Zacharias. His skilled defense of Christianity in an age of atheism and skepticism has provided a much needed voice for truth in the academic sphere through his ministry. I have had to disagree with Dr. Zacharias in the past over his presence at the Evening of Friendship at the Mormon Tabernacle back in 2004 and now, once more, I find myself having to reluctantly disagree.
Dr. Zacharias is the 2008 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. As such, he both wrote and recorded an official prayer that appears on the organization's website. Dr. Zacharias' prayer can be read here. What is missing from the prayer is the name of Jesus Christ. He ends his prayer in "God's Holy Name" The absence of Christ's name is not accidental. A call to the National Day of Prayer headquarters in Colorado Springs revealed that the Honorary Chairman's prayer does not include the name of Jesus so as not to offend the Jewish participants in the event. The woman assured me that others are free to pray in Jesus' name if they desire. The organization promotes "Judeo-Christian" prayer events around the nation. Herein lies the problem.
According to the truth of God's Word, the entire counsel of God, we do not pray in "God's Holy Name" to God the Father. John 14:13-14, Colossians 3:17. We come to God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, who alone provides us access to the Father. NDP Chairwoman, Shirley Dobson, owes a biblical explanation to Christians around the nation as to why the name of Jesus is absent from the official Task Force 2008 prayer. We are not here as Christians to appease those of other world religions. We cannot pray as "stealth Christians" to keep from angering those who reject Christ. While other believers around the world are dying for that name, in America, Dr. Zacharias will not speak name in his official public prayer because it might "offend" a non-Christian. This is wrong.
Not long ago, Christians were justifiably outraged when the US Navy court-martialed Captain Gordon Klingenschmitt for refusing to delete the name of Jesus from his prayers while in uniform. Yet when it comes to the National Day of Prayer, these same evangelical leaders are strangely prone to a form of political correctness and Christ's name disappears. While Christians often work in the sphere of public policy with those of other religious beliefs, when we come to prayer and worship, we cannot link arms without gross biblical compromise. If the National Day of Prayer Task Force would have limited its focus to Christian expressions of the observance, this problem could have been averted. Let those of other religious views sponsor their own organizations and events. Let Christians lift high the name of Jesus and pray in His name without apology.
If evangelical leaders want God's help in the midst of America's deepening national crisis, we must come to Him on His terms, not ours. Either God's Word is truth, or it is not. There is no middle ground. There are no special interfaith prayer models in Scripture for pragmatic evangelicals hoping to maintain conservative political coalitions. Such tacit denial of Jesus Christ will court God's righteous wrath, not His blessings. We cannot place cultural concerns before Scriptural truth.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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Please take a look at this link. It is Ravi's response to the NDP found on his International Ministries website. Rather than assuming incorrectly you should go to the source.
http://www.rzim.org/USA/Community/RZIMNews.aspx Click here to reply to this post
Thanks
Posted On: 07/07/08 12:19:41 PM
Age 46, ENGLAND
Thanks VERY MUCH for providing that link. These matters are rarely as simple as Ingrid has presented. Click here to reply to this post
Prayer not abuse
Posted On: 05/07/08 12:15:22 AM
Age 32, MI
I have greatly benefited from the teachings of Ravi. I have not read everything nor have I heard everything he has ever said, but the stuff I have heard has been rock solid! Believe half of what you see and nothing that you hear has served me well through the years, via my mother. I am going to stick to it on this issue as well. There may have been someone who read that prayer that was not a Christian, or there may have been 1 Million people who read that prayer that are not Christians. They might even google Ravi and see who he is and what he is about. They may even hear a clear presentation of the gospel because of that search. I would like to lean on the side of trusting a brother in Christ first and then pray for any misleadings that I have because of something I saw on the internet. I would think that God is still in control of everything and trust Him to handle this. Encourage our brother and thank him for everything that he does to promote the gospel. Click here to reply to this post
Ravi
Posted On: 05/04/08 09:35:14 PM
Age 63, MO
Why doesn't he just say in the Jewish Messiah,s name. That way he is correct and they are not affended. -- Bill Lau-- Click here to reply to this post
We all defend
Posted On: 05/02/08 01:06:26 AM
Age 22, CHINA
Everyday, alot of people around the world face day-to-day persecutions, because we believe in the Lord Jesus, we are mocked and shunned. We need not have to stand at a pulpit to show that we stand for Christ. We do it every single day, knowing that standing for him means we can lose promotions, status,etc.
All we are saying is that if he Loves Christ so much, then why at the time of the test of saying his name, did he buckle under pressure. A person who the Christians look to for better understanding of god's word, is the person who cant even say Jesus's name in front of Leaders. Since he did not risk his everything by saying god's name and honoring him god will do the same to him.
I don't think I will ever hear another Rzim MSG, because he cant even say My Jesus's name, a name so sweet to a believer's ear and a person he makes a living out off, by preaching about him Click here to reply to this post
We all defend
Posted On: 05/02/08 01:04:17 AM
Age 22, CHINA
To the lady defending Ravi.
Everyday, alot of people around the world face day-to-day persecutions, because we believe in the Lord Jesus, we are mocked and shunned. We need not have to stand at a pulpit to show that we stand for Christ. We do it every single day, knowing that standing for him means we can lose promotions, status,etc.
All we are saying is that if he Loves Christ so much, then why at the time of the test of saying his name, did he buckle under pressure. A person who the christians look to for better understanding of god's
word, is the person who cant even say Jesus's name in front of Leaders. Since he did not risk his everything by saying god's name and honoring him god will do the same to him.
I dont think I will ever hear another Rzim msg, because he cant even say My Jesus's name, a name so sweet to a believer's ear and a person he makes a living out off, by preaching about him
Anna Click here to reply to this post
We all defend
Posted On: 05/02/08 12:59:58 AM
Age 22, CHINA
To the lady defending Ravi.
Everyday, alot of people around the world face day-to-day persecutions, because we believe in the Lord Jesus, we are mocked and shunned. We need not have to stand at a pulpit to show that we stand for Christ. We do it every single day, knowing that standing for him means we can lose promotions, status,etc.
All we are saying is that if he Loves Christ so much, then why at the time of the test of saying his name, did he buckle under pressure. A person who the christians look to for better understanding of god's word, is the person who cant even say Jesus's name in front of Leaders. Since he did not risk his everything by saying god's name and honoring him god will do the same to him.
I dont think I will ever hear another Rzim msg, because he cant even say My Jesus's name, a name so sweet to a believer's ear and a person he makes a living out off, by preaching about him Click here to reply to this post
Even the pope is sincere about Jesus.
Posted On: 04/30/08 09:27:36 AM
Age 38, SOUTH AFRICA
We christians must learn not worship clever Christian leaders, many of them have feet of clay.
As to Ingrid rebuking, exhorting or correcting our "Brother" even Paul at one time had to rebuke and correct the Apostle Peter, rather we hold our own to account, than the godless Click here to reply to this post
Even the pope is sincere about Jesus.
Posted On: 04/30/08 09:27:31 AM
Age 38, SOUTH AFRICA
We christians must learn not worship clever Christian leaders, many of them have feet of clay.
As to Ingrid rebuking, exhorting or correcting our "Brother" even Paul at one time had to rebuke and correct the Apostle Peter, rather we hold our own to account, than the godless Click here to reply to this post
Religious Hypocrisy!
Posted On: 04/30/08 01:26:50 AM
Age 40, INDIA
I do understand Ingrid's passion for the name of Jesus Christ. Does the name of Jesus Christ is only a religious term to be used at the end of every prayer? If it so, then it is nothing but hypocrisy and a religion without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
As an Indian, I have known Dr. Ravi Zacharias for the last 22 years. His uncompromising convictions, clarity and commitment for Jesus Christ and the gospel are unquestionable. Just by not mentioning the name of Jesus Christ, his prayer is neither a political correctness nor a cultural compulsion.
What do you say to the great sermon by Apostle Paul at Mars Hill in Acts 17:19-33v, where he has not mentioned the name of Jesus Christ directly but alluded to Him?
An Indian proverb goes like this " You cannot give a person a rose to smell after cutting off his nose" The sweet aroma of Christ is felt better when we leave our over- zealousness for words and focus on the person of Jesus Christ and the need of proclaiming Him alone to a lost and dying world. Instead of aiming our guns at our fellow brother let us unitedly fight the enemy on our knees as prayer alone is a sheild to our souls, sacrifice to God and a scourge to Satan. Click here to reply to this post
Just thinking
Posted On: 04/30/08 09:34:46 AM
Age 47, WI
Thank you! It is a pleasure to read your comment. I thought I was alone with God on this one. May God bless you and keep you always. Click here to reply to this post
Just thinking
Posted On: 04/29/08 10:34:24 AM
Age 47, WI
Maybe we as believers could be a little slower to complain about a brother and a little quicker to read the word of God and follow what it says.
The author doesn't say if she did or did not disscuss this situation with him, but by the information in another blog there were some restrictions placed on him. Now once again we see that as Christians we want to act like the world and say its christian. At the time of writing this I find all but one complaining and not any of these have said they reached out to their brother, R Zacharais. This may not seem important, but I would disagree on these grounds.
(Mat 18:14) Even so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
(Mat 18:15) But if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
(Mat 18:16) But if he will not hear you, take one or two more with you, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
(Mat 18:17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he neglects to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen and a tax-collector.
What did Jesus do with the heathen and tax collector? Of coarse he condemed them and publicly complained. I do remember something about eating dinner at the tax collectors house. I would also like to remind you of another verse
(Jas 1:26) If anyone thinks to be religious among you, yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is vain.
Is your relgion in vain? Is it required to bring more "Word" to this discussion. I believe some would need to look at a thing like forgiveness. May God Bless you in Jesus name. Click here to reply to this post
just thinking
Posted On: 05/05/08 07:07:14 AM
Age 42, VA
I called both organizations and what the writer says is true. NDP hung-up on me when I asked if R.Z. would be able to pray in Jesus name. I was not rude or yelling, I simply asked a yes or no question. If we who know the Lord Jesus agree to a prayer that leaves out the Name above all Names then we are bringing judgement on ourselves not blessings. Look at the NDP website Shirley Dobson went on Robert Schuller's program and thanked him for all the good work he has done. He totally denies the need to tell people about their sins or to repent. NDP was not a Christian event. All I can say is that we need to strengthen ourselves. Persecution is coming be able to stand strong.
Cindy Click here to reply to this post
Public Act Public Response
Posted On: 04/29/08 04:59:10 PM
Age 41, WI
The office of Ravi Zacharias was definitely contacted and they confirmed that they agreed to the (unbiblical) requirements of the National Day of Prayer Task Force in writing the prayer. Ravi's responsibility was to say no to the invitation and obey God instead. His guidelines for prayer need to come from God's Word, not committees in Colorado Springs. There is no biblical defense for the removal of Christ's name from a national prayer that will be prayed at the White House and the Cannon House Federal Building on Thursday, May 1. The best both organizations can do is pitch blame back and forth and attack the messenger as "malicious" for asking the vital question: Why are you more interested in pleasing men than pleasing God? Coming to God in Jesus' name is not optional. It's time Christians put down their picket signs and stopped trying to save America from God's disciplining hand and started reading the Word of God again. There is far too much of this kind of compromise going on in the name of Christian activism. Jesus must come first or we labor in vain. Click here to reply to this post
Reply
Posted On: 04/30/08 09:31:19 AM
Age 47, WI
I don't agree, the author does not say she contacted R Zacharias and that in itself is wrong and not according to the word of God. Also for you to promote this as fact when the fact it is not, is wrong on your part. To title your feed back "Public Act Public Response" is not biblical either. God doesn't publicly attack people first. If you don't like the National Day of Prayer stop complaining and critsizing start your own movement. Start with making sure you only reachout to the people who believe the same doctrine as you then for equality I suggest to all the other denominations to do the same so as to not offend anyone. Also I hope you are carful to never work with another person who doesn't believe like you. It wouldn't be scriptual to try and reach someone like that or would it? Click here to reply to this post
