A Pastor with Nerve

Apollyon67 · 07-14-2005, 09:20 PM

This Pastor has guts!!

Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some people. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of __expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea.

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.

With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "one nation under God."

NorCalAshnjikov · 07-15-2005, 01:55 AM

That'll teach the senate to waste time on an opening speech

Quote:

It seems prayer still upsets some people.

Sorry buddy, but senate isn't the time for prayer.

Despoiler · 07-15-2005, 02:05 AM

I don't get it. How come everyone is all for free speech until it comes to prayer and then it is "You can't say that".

NorCalAshnjikov · 07-15-2005, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllenT

I don't get it. How come everyone is all for free speech until it comes to prayer and then it is you can't say that.

There is a time and place for everything,
and prayer at the opening of the senate is, well, a little out of place,
which is why some people objected, so they walked out (freedom).
They didn't tackle the minister and gag him. They didn't interrupt him. He said his prayer from beginning to end, they chose not to listen.

Senate needs to do their job and do it swiftly, not waste time and money on speeches (even if this particular one was short).

Despoiler · 07-15-2005, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalAshnjikov

There is a time and place for everything,
and prayer at the opening of the senate is, well, a little out of place,

Why is it that saying a prayer at the opening of the senate out of place?

silentknight · 07-15-2005, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalAshnjikov

Sorry buddy, but senate isn't the time for prayer.

I can't think of a better time for prayer. They are working on making/changing laws, I can't think of a better idea than to ask for Almighty God's blessing and guidance in that process. Your just pissed because it made you uncomfortable, just as it made some senators uncomfortable. And the way our society is progressing (regressing, in my eyes) anything that may be uncomfortable to one single person is deemed horrible and should be banned. They needed to hear it (they also need to take it to heart but I don't think thats going to happen), just as you need to hear it, and I hope that you go back and reread it and take it to heart

Gunnie Ed · 07-15-2005, 10:48 AM

it wasn't the Senate, it was the house of reprisentatives.
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/wright.htm

and here's the origional prayer.

Heavenly Father, we come before you to ask your forgiveness. We seek your direction and your guidance. We know your word says, "Woe to those who call evil good." But that's what we've done.

We've lost our spiritual equilibrium. We have inverted our values. We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your word in the name of moral pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism.

We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.

We've exploited the poor and called it a lottery. We've neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. In the name of choice, we have killed our unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed abortionists.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it taxes. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, oh, God, and know our hearts today. Try us. Show us any wickedness within us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of the State of Kansas, and that they have been ordained by you to govern this great state.

Grant them your wisdom to rule. May their decisions direct us to the center of your will. And, as we continue our prayer and as we come in out of the fog, give us clear minds to accomplish our goals as we begin this Legislature. For we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Stopper · 07-15-2005, 10:57 AM

weird, this is the first I've heard of it and I'm 50 miles away.
NIce prayer though, and , ah, any time is a good time for a prayer and no one needs it more than politicians. Thats for dang sure.

silentknight · 07-15-2005, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stopper

Any time is a good time for a prayer and no one needs it more than politicians

Amen sir!

steel_warrior1 · 07-15-2005, 01:20 PM

And thats how we do it in Kansas!

NorCalAshnjikov · 07-16-2005, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllenT

Why is it that saying a prayer at the opening of the senate out of place?

Because a significant number of people walked out in protest?
How would you feel if it was a minister from the church of satan?
Why do you think it isn't?

Sniper[MI] · 07-16-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalAshnjikov

Because a significant number of people walked out in protest?
How would you feel if it was a minister from the church of satan?
Why do you think it isn't?

Okay, I don't normally come at people, but that is rediculous. Senate, Congress and all Govt sessions have ALWAYS been opened with prayer. This is a Nation Founded under Judeo Christian Values, go re read about it.

And the comment about the Church of Satan is a glaringly ignorant at best. America is a place of religious freedom. HOWEVER Religious freedom does not mean doing a dozen prayers for every group, or removing prayer al together.

If you don't believe in a higher being, that's your perogative. If you don't believe in God or in Christ as our savior, your problem or choice.

The facts are that a majority of the country is of a Christian based following, Congress and Sentate sessions have always been opened with prayer and always should be. And that is in my opinion and a majority of the country's opinon as well.

NorCalAshnjikov · 07-16-2005, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper[MI]

Okay, I don't normally come at people, but that is rediculous. Senate, Congress and all Govt sessions have ALWAYS been opened with prayer. This is a Nation Founded under Judeo Christian Values, go re read about it.

And the comment about the Church of Satan is a glaringly ignorant at best. America is a place of religious freedom. HOWEVER Religious freedom does not mean doing a dozen prayers for every group, or removing prayer al together.

If you don't believe in a higher being, that's your perogative. If you don't believe in God or in Christ as our savior, your problem or choice.

The facts are that a majority of the country is of a Christian based following, Congress and Sentate sessions have always been opened with prayer and always should be. And that is in my opinion and a majority of the country's opinon as well.

So what?

Mick · 07-16-2005, 04:51 PM

doesn't your constitution mention God somewhere, and doesn't God get a part on your money, why is it so wrong to have him in politics.

silentknight · 07-17-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

Doesn't your constitution mention God somewhere

Yes it does, but sadly most people from Peoples Republic of Kalifornia (ie Liberals) don't believe in the constitution

Gunnie Ed · 07-17-2005, 10:13 PM

where does it mention God in the constitution?

i'm not disagreeing or anything, just curious.

silentknight · 07-18-2005, 10:04 AM

Oops I was incorrect about the constitution mentioning God, I must have been thinking about the pledge of allegiance

CV32 · 07-18-2005, 11:03 AM

Our Constitution does, but to little effect, I'm afraid. Sigh.

dhermesc · 07-18-2005, 04:18 PM

The two men who were most responsible for having the Continental Congress open with a prayer were Samuel Adams and Thomas Cushing. Both men were from Massachusetts, a state which produced a number of politicians who were eager to play a constant role in the battles of religious freedom. Sometimes this role was positive for religious freedom, and sometimes, these men from Massachusetts as well as other New England states specifically resisted separation of church and state. Massachusetts was the last state to officially end the establishment of religion by prohibiting it in its constitution and laws which did not occur until 1833. In the writings of John Adams we are told that it was actually Cushing who made one of the initial motions for prayer in the Continental Congress. That John Jay and John Rutledge were opposed to this motion because of the religious diversity that existed among the members of Congress. That they felt that there could be no one prayer that would satisfy all present.

Samuel Adams spoke up saying that he was no bigot and could hear the prayer of any man of piety and virtue and who was also a friend of his country. He then nominated Duche.

http://members.tripod.com/~candst/chaptest.htm

I guess with the first congress setting the precedent, its only good form to follow.

I’m only 50 miles away and I never heard about this either. To busy trying to figure out when the &$*@ the supreme court was given the power to dictate taxation and spending.

SPOCAHP ANAR · 07-19-2005, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalAshnjikov

There is a time and place for everything,
and prayer at the opening of the senate is, well, a little out of place,
which is why some people objected, so they walked out (freedom).
They didn't tackle the minister and gag him. They didn't interrupt him. He said his prayer from beginning to end, they chose not to listen.

Senate needs to do their job and do it swiftly, not waste time and money on speeches (even if this particular one was short).

I bwlieve the reason they walked out is because he HIT a nerve with them.

07-14-2005, 09:20 PM	#1
Apollyon67 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 2,235 Images: 17	A Pastor with Nerve This Pastor has guts!! Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some people. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard: "Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of __expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!" The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea. Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "one nation under God." __________________ "To err is human, to repent divine; to persist devilish." Ben Franklin

07-15-2005, 02:05 AM	#3
Despoiler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Occupied Territory of California Posts: 2,232	I don't get it. How come everyone is all for free speech until it comes to prayer and then it is "You can't say that". Last edited by Despoiler; 07-15-2005 at 02:34 AM.

07-15-2005, 10:48 AM	#7
Gunnie Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: three clicks left of center. Posts: 808	Some people deserve to be offended. it wasn't the Senate, it was the house of reprisentatives. http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/wright.htm and here's the origional prayer. Heavenly Father, we come before you to ask your forgiveness. We seek your direction and your guidance. We know your word says, "Woe to those who call evil good." But that's what we've done. We've lost our spiritual equilibrium. We have inverted our values. We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your word in the name of moral pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We've exploited the poor and called it a lottery. We've neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. In the name of choice, we have killed our unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed abortionists. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it taxes. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, oh, God, and know our hearts today. Try us. Show us any wickedness within us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of the State of Kansas, and that they have been ordained by you to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule. May their decisions direct us to the center of your will. And, as we continue our prayer and as we come in out of the fog, give us clear minds to accomplish our goals as we begin this Legislature. For we pray in Jesus' name, Amen. __________________ http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95.../warinmine.gif Last edited by Gunnie Ed; 07-15-2005 at 10:55 AM.

07-15-2005, 10:57 AM	#8
Stopper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kansass Posts: 2,211 Images: 1	weird, this is the first I've heard of it and I'm 50 miles away. NIce prayer though, and , ah, any time is a good time for a prayer and no one needs it more than politicians. Thats for dang sure. __________________ They should have stopped at "Congress shall make no law"

07-15-2005, 01:20 PM	#10
steel_warrior1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oberlin, Kansas (Middle of nowhere.) Posts: 435	And thats how we do it in Kansas! __________________ Come Check Out My Pacific Tool Company Website! [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] http://pacificreloaders.awardspace.com/

07-16-2005, 04:51 PM	#14
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	doesn't your constitution mention God somewhere, and doesn't God get a part on your money, why is it so wrong to have him in politics. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

07-17-2005, 10:13 PM	#16
Gunnie Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: three clicks left of center. Posts: 808	where does it mention God in the constitution? i'm not disagreeing or anything, just curious. __________________ http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95.../warinmine.gif

07-18-2005, 10:04 AM	#17
silentknight Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,125 Images: 3	Oops I was incorrect about the constitution mentioning God, I must have been thinking about the pledge of allegiance __________________ Sic Vis Pacem Parabellum

07-18-2005, 11:03 AM	#18
CV32 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 88	Our Constitution does, but to little effect, I'm afraid. Sigh. __________________ Happiness is a warm gun. - The Beatles

07-18-2005, 04:18 PM	#19
dhermesc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: East Central Kansas Posts: 1,762	The two men who were most responsible for having the Continental Congress open with a prayer were Samuel Adams and Thomas Cushing. Both men were from Massachusetts, a state which produced a number of politicians who were eager to play a constant role in the battles of religious freedom. Sometimes this role was positive for religious freedom, and sometimes, these men from Massachusetts as well as other New England states specifically resisted separation of church and state. Massachusetts was the last state to officially end the establishment of religion by prohibiting it in its constitution and laws which did not occur until 1833. In the writings of John Adams we are told that it was actually Cushing who made one of the initial motions for prayer in the Continental Congress. That John Jay and John Rutledge were opposed to this motion because of the religious diversity that existed among the members of Congress. That they felt that there could be no one prayer that would satisfy all present. Samuel Adams spoke up saying that he was no bigot and could hear the prayer of any man of piety and virtue and who was also a friend of his country. He then nominated Duche. http://members.tripod.com/~candst/chaptest.htm I guess with the first congress setting the precedent, its only good form to follow. I’m only 50 miles away and I never heard about this either. To busy trying to figure out when the &$*@ the supreme court was given the power to dictate taxation and spending. __________________ Liberty is for those that claim it.