Last week I wrote this; my thoughts follow afterward:
I was invited to give the benediction at a Memorial Day service about 2 years ago by a man who strongly supports freedom of religion for all (as do I). In fact, Reverend Friend has his very own religion: God’s Eternal Universal Religion. He was in charge of organizing the events, lining up the speakers, and finding “religious” people to give the invocation (opening prayer), and the benediction (closing prayer).
I was asked to participate and share the dais with five other people of faith, including a Scientologist, a Jew, a naval chaplain, a Salvation Army minister, and Reverend Friend himself.
Given this mixed bag of faith, would you have participated in this prayer?
Why or why not?
This is what happened: We discussed it at our staff pastors’ meeting. Some were for, some against. I wanted to pray so that people would know that Hope Chapel represents and prays to the One True God, Jesus. It didn’t matter to me that others prayed to their little gods. I prayed an “evangelistic” prayer in Jesus’ name. 
Reverend Friend called me two weeks ago and asked if I would give the invocation at the Veterans Day Memorial this weekend—this time though, there would be no other strange religions on the dais. And the benediction would be given by a Salvation Army Chaplain.
God won out over gods–again! 
Jessica
Jen
Kathy