This "invocation" says that God's own reputation is on the line with the current election. It's McCain and the God of Abraham and Paul against all the other gods (including "Hindu" and "Buddha") who are apparently competing for Obama.
On a liturgical note, I cannot stand phrases such as, "Lord, we want to…" or "Lord, we just…" These kinds of phrases cheapen the invitation of God in one's presence. I will use the phrase "I just want to…" in reference to sleep, buy something, etc. It is a phrase we use often in terms of unimportant things and satiating desire.
On a theological note, he begins by saying that God is in charge and that what happens in the election will be of God's will. But then he says in no uncertain terms that if Obama is elected that God's reputation is at stake as being that one who is in charge! So God will be putting God's own reputation on the line if Obama is elected? What a theological mess spoken to promote political lip service on the stump.
Finally, who is finding these people at each of these rallys for the McCain campaign? Someone has got to be responsible for what these folks are saying and no one in the McCain camp is taking adequate responsibility for what are either major miscalculations or intended voices the campaign wants us to hear. It is language that is polarizing, conflictual, and will only serve to create discordant ire long after Obama is elected (which statistically seems clear at this point).
Also see AKM Adam's post in the matter as well as Tim's and Duane's. Adam's tone is a bit harsher which I think is needed to hold such people who would represent the Kingdom of God accountable for their misrepresentations of God Himself on the political stump.
Related posts:
Personally I'm hoping for a cage match. It's like Ultimate Fighter, but with deities.
I guess we just have to blow these kinds of "prayers" off Drew.. seem to be some sort of blend of ignorant Christian Republicanism.
"My God is bigger than your God"? This is soooo pathetic! The more ignorant, the more arrogant.
I heard this on a local talk show program. It happens to be the most listened to afternoon talk program in the Los Angeles area, so the audience is huge. It's a secular program and the hosts, while being politically and economically conservative, are quite socially liberal. In fact, they often laugh and scorn evangelicals who they themselves say they just "don't get.". So, when they heard about this pastor praying (they actually played him praying so we could hear it for ourselves), they started their usual calling evangelicals kooks. I agree with you…we need better representatives of our faith than this. It's a terrible, terrible witness.
I heard this on a local talk show program. It happens to be the most listened to afternoon talk program in the Los Angeles area, so the audience is huge. It's a secular program and the hosts, while being politically and economically conservative, are quite socially liberal. In fact, they often laugh and scorn evangelicals who they themselves say they just "don't get.". So, when they heard about this pastor praying (they actually played him praying so we could hear it for ourselves), they started their usual calling evangelicals kooks. I agree with you…we need better representatives of our faith than this. It's a terrible, terrible witness.
[...] If there is, there are many reasons why this is most assuredly not one of them," in his post Prayers on the Stump posted at Notes From Off [...]