WHEN did prayer become so controversial? First, cinema chains refuse to screen an advert featuring the Lord’s Prayer. Then the Church of England sparks a row when it encourages prayer for atheist Richard Dawkins after he had a stroke.
Personally, I’m puzzled.
Prayer to me is like eating or drinking or breathing. It’s something that I do and it’s part of me. Sometimes it’s about spending time in prayer. Other times, it’s about saying a quick prayer as something comes to mind.
Sometimes it’s with other people. Sometimes it’s in church. Mostly, it’s on my own when I’m out and about and simply living life.
Of course, Christians should be praying for Richard Dawkins, or anyone else who is unwell. Of course, we should be praying for peace in our world – and working to make a difference in our local part of it. For me, that’s Sandridge parish, just north of St Albans.
But somehow prayer has become something that makes people uneasy. It’s seen as unsettling or subversive to be praying for people whose views you don’t share, or bringing a centuries-old prayer into modern multiplexes.
Some people have questioned the CofE’s motives in encouraging people to pray for Richard Dawkins. Was the Church being sarcastic in wishing him well?
For Christians, praying for Dawkins or for anyone who may not share their faith is – among other things – a sign.
It shows that although Richard Dawkins may not believe in God, God has not given up on him.
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