Religion and Politics Mix on Prayer Day

A guitarist played “God Bless America” outside Irvine City Hall. Worshipers were decked in red, white and blue. And Sheri Hensley of Corona del Mar was praying for the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Lord, right now they’re dealing with two important issues: partial-birth abortion and who will be allowed to lead in the Boy Scouts,” she said. “Speak to them, God, and let them know to do not what is popular and seems to be a trend, but what is right.”

Across Orange County on Thursday, worshipers celebrated National Day of Prayer, an ostensibly apolitical event with inescapable political overtones. Organized prayers took place outside of city halls as well as in churches, and while most leaders cast the event as a day to celebrate spirituality and communicate with God, many used prayer to send political messages.

At the Irvine ceremony, worshipers like Hensley worried that the Supreme Court will extend constitutional protection to what abortion opponents call partial-birth abortion and allow homosexuals to lead Boy Scout troops. Others prayed for Atty. Gen. Janet Reno and Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright. And some simply struggled with their disaffection with government, and prayed for those they see as the few godly politicians.

“Be encouraged,” said Marie Snits of Irvine. “There are good men in Washington, D.C. . . . It’s not all going to go down the tubes.”

The themes of political reform and religious change also were intertwined during a noon prayer on the steps of Orange City Hall. Pastor Rick Rzcszewski of Orange Coast Community Church praised city school trustees, who have resisted efforts to create a Gay-Straight Alliance club at El Modena High School.

Pastor Rod Schorr of Covenant Community Church made reference to the Monica Lewinsky scandal and bemoaned the morals of national leaders. “We have flaunted our sins on the Capitol steps,” he said, praying for a moral and righteous national government.

Behind a row of nearly two dozen home-schooled children, Patty Ortega of Orange asked God to change attitudes of local librarians. “I pray that their eyes be open to the proper moral stance and they use moral judgment when selecting their collections,” she said, adding that the media and other influences have greatly changed the town she has lived in all her life.

“The area schools have become a social playground for certain groups from elsewhere,” she said, making reference to the El Modena controversy. “This is our community--we don’t need these interlopers.”

Rzcszewski said the event was not primarily political. But prayer is a fundamental part of democracy, and therefore people should not object to holding an organized prayer on public grounds, he said.

“I think it’s extremely essential that politicians are godly,” he said. “Prayer is a fundamental part of the freedom we enjoy in this country, and this is a rally of godly principles.”

While some prayed for the souls of leaders or political reform, some simply prayed for strength to overcome their own weaknesses. At Mariners Church in Irvine, leaders scheduled 14 hours of prayer on subjects ranging from youth to families to those in need.

Jamie Delaney of Costa Mesa clutched a Bible and cried as she prayed, asking God for humility and goodness. “I think life is hard, but living a good life is worth it,” she said. “I believe God is everything. The Lord gives us our life, our friends and peace, and through prayer, I get to experience him.”