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Praying in Jesus's Name

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A Postscript on Billy Graham

Friday, January 30th, 2009

Part 4 of series: The Inaugural Prayers of Billy Graham
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As I wrap up this short series on the inaugural prayers of Billy Graham, I thought I might share a couple of personal stories.
In the late summer of 1963, Billy Graham preached at a crusade in Los Angeles, […]

Billy Graham’s Inaugural Prayers, Section 3

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

Part 3 of series: The Inaugural Prayers of Billy Graham
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If you read all four of Billy Graham’s published inaugural prayers, you find some interesting continuities and discontinuities. I have already examined many of these. I want to finish up this brief series by noting a few other […]

Billy Graham’s Inaugural Prayers, Section 2

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Part 11 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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In my last post, I began examining four prayers offered by the Rev. Billy Graham at presidential inaugurations (1969, 1989, 1993, 1997). I note considerable variation in length (though I don’t have the full […]

Billy Graham’s Inaugural Prayers, Section 1

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Part 10 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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Before I wrap up this series on inaugural prayers, I’d like to examine several prayers offered by the Rev. Billy Graham. No religious leader in our nation’s history has been more involved in presidential […]

Examining Bishop Gene Robinson’s Invocation

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

Part 9 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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Two days prior to the official inauguration of President Barack Obama, there was an opening event at the Lincoln Memorial. The invocation for this gathering was offered by the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, […]

Praying for Barack

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

Part 8 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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Before I examine some inaugural prayers besides that of Rick Warren, I want to say something about praying for the President.
Surely all Christians, especially but not only American Christians, should now be praying regular […]

Warren Prays, Not in Jesus’ Name, but in Jesus’ Names

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Part 7 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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Ya gotta hand it to Rick Warren. He always seems to have a surprise or two up his sleeve. I’ve been following his ministry for almost twenty years, most of which I served as […]

Should Rick Warren Say “In the Name of Jesus” at the End of His Inaugural Prayer? Section 2

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Part 6 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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Yesterday I laid out the strongest case I could make against having Rick Warren say “in Jesus’ name” at the end of his inaugural prayer. Today I’m arguing the other side.
If you read this […]

Should Rick Warren Say “In the Name of Jesus” at the End of His Inaugural Prayer?

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Part 5 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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I began this series with the question: Should Rick Warren say “in the name of Jesus” (or something similar) at the end of his invocation at the inauguration of Barack Obama? Since I, like […]

Should Christians Say “In Jesus’ Name” at the End of Our Prayers?

Friday, January 16th, 2009

Part 4 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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In this series I intend to answer the question of whether or not Rick Warren should say “in Jesus’ name” at the end of his invocation in the inauguration of Barack Obama as President […]

What Does It Mean to Pray in the Name of Jesus? Section 2

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

Part 3 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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In my last post I showed that Jesus himself taught his followers to pray in his name. But he did not mean that they should say “in Jesus’ name” at the end of their […]

What Does It Mean to Pray in the Name of Jesus?

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Part 2 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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Note: This is a revised and expanded version of a previous post.
Yesterday I raised the issue of whether or not Rick Warren should pray “in the name of Jesus” when he gives the invocation […]

More Ire to Come?

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

Part 1 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
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A recent AP news story featured this headline: “Warren’s inauguration prayer could draw more ire.” The implied, earlier ire came when President-elect Barack Obama chose Rick Warren to give the invocation at the inauguration. […]

Why I Don’t Say “In Jesus’s Name” at the End of a Civic Prayer

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Part 3 of series: Should Christians Pray “In Jesus’s Name” in Civic Gatherings?
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When I have prayed in civic gatherings, such as city council meetings or community luncheons, I have ended my prayers by saying, simply, “Amen,” rather than saying what I’d say when leading prayer in church: […]

What Does It Mean to Pray in the Name of Jesus?

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

Part 2 of series: Should Christians Pray “In Jesus’s Name” in Civic Gatherings?
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In several passages from the Gospel of John, Jesus instructs us to pray in his name. For example:
“I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the […]
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