John McCain rally in Iowa marked by partisan prayer

Los Angeles Times ^

[WilliamReading]

Rev. Arnold Conrad, in delivering an invocation at a rally today for John McCain in Davenport, Iowa, apparently didn't get the word from the candidate about elevating the tone at such gatherings.

Conrad, who appeared before the crowd before McCain had arrived, offered a prayer that seemed to urge divine intervention to prevent Barack Obama from winning the presidential election -- and cast the outcome as a referendum on differing religions.

The Times' Maeve Reston was at the event, and she passed along the key passage from Conrad's words:

I would also pray Lord that your reputation is involved in all that happens between now and November, because there are millions of people around this world praying to their God -- whether it's Hindu, Buddha, Allah -- that his [McCain’s] opponent wins for a variety of reasons.

And Lord I pray that you would guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their god is bigger than you, if that happens. So I pray that you would step forward and honor your own name in all that happens between now and Election Day.

Oh Lord, we just commit this time to you, move among us, make your presence very well felt as we are gathered here today in Jesus's name I pray.

Some in the crowd greeted the prayer with applause.

[WilliamReading]

I cannot over emphasize the power of prayer. God DOES hear the prayers of HIS people!

I suppose . . but it sure didn’t help devout Christians with the Black Plague during the Middle Ages, or the Jews during the Holocaust.

Prayer combined with concrete actions make a difference. Just praying has no real effect, at least in my opinion.

[scratcher]

Conrad, who appeared before the crowd before McCain had arrived, offered a prayer that seemed to urge divine intervention to prevent Barack Obama from winning the presidential election

Good, I have the same prayer.  

 Dear God don't let the Muslim in our White House.  Amen.

[Redbob]

And a big “AMEN!” to that prayer.

[scratcher]

“I cannot over emphasize the power of prayer. God DOES hear the prayers of HIS people!”

Bttt

[T Lady]

The LA Times isn’t fit to line a birdcage.

[pollywog]

“Oh, Lord, hear our prayer...”

AMEN!!!!

[NewLand]

I looked at the blog and some of the replies. This comment was posted and is used frequently by uneducated secular and even by some CINOs:

"Jesus asked us to preach tolerance."

Not when it came to other Gods or idols...

[machogirl]

Any the good Rev. Wright isn’t partisan?

[TNCMAXQ]

Seems like all we are hearing is the angriness and bitterness coming from those evil Republicans at their rallies. So how is the behavior at the 0bama rallies? All very open minded and respectful, I’m sure.... HA HA.

Of course as far as anger and bitterness, it is the religious people in flyover country that feel that as the cling to their guns. 0bama told us so. But even after that insult, plenty of them are voting for him. Brilliant. Can’t wait to say we told you so when things start going down the drain.

[WilliamReading]

Update: Just got this response from a McCain aide:

“While we understand the important role that faith plays in informing the votes of Iowans, questions about the religious background of the candidates only serve to distract from the real questions in this race about Barack Obama’s judgment, policies and readiness to lead as commander in chief.” - Wendy Riemann, Midwest Regional Communications Director

[MarcoPolo]

This is part of what's wrong with this country. We treat politics as if it's part of our religion. It isn't. God is neither Republican nor Democrat nor any other party, and to try to make it seem like he participates in partisanship of this sort is utterly worldly and unBiblical.

We can never forget---this world is not our home!

[pollywog]

Read the Old Testament... God HEARS PRAYER sir... GOD HEARS... this is a spiritual battle this election. God will HEAL OUR LAND if we cry out and repent.
There was a prayer right before the Convention acceptance speech.. or after, with the SAME TONE!!! YES, it makes a difference!

[teletech]

I suppose . . but it sure didn’t help devout Christians with the Black Plague during the Middle Ages, or the Jews during the Holocaust.

Prayer combined with concrete actions make a difference. Just praying has no real effect, at least in my opinion.

I wouldn't presume to know what God has in mind between now and Election Day. I will just keep praying and let Him take care of the rest.

[WilliamReading]

“God is neither Republican nor Democrat nor any other party”

And you know this, how?

[mware]

Interesting.

While in confession today, I spoke to my priest about my anger in that not one candidate was speaking out against abortion.

He basically told me to pray and fast that God would spare us the nightmare of Obama.

[Tarpon]

Nowhere near Rev Wright high marks ... Maybe he should have just run Rev Wright video.

[SE Mom]

Can a prayer like this actually help?

Only God knows- I don't know. I know it made me cringe.

[WilliamReading]

Why bother voting then? Your prayers alone should see McCain through . . ./sarc

[chippewaman]

If you have time to pray, God has time to listen.

[grey_whiskers]

Three little words that say it all.

God. D@mn. America.

Cheers!