It had not happened since President Lincoln.
On Tuesday, December 4, 2001, for two sacred and historic hours, about
one-third of the US Senate and House of Representatives, with representation
from both major parties, knelt together in solemn prayer and repentance. This
did not take place in a Church. It took place in the Rotunda of the US Capitol.
Chairs were arranged so they all faced in a circle. Microphones were placed
in aisles. In the center for the speakers was a prayer bench with knee padding
and a microphone. Other prayer benches were scattered outside the seating area.
Clearly visible were the large murals in the Rotunda itself, depicting prayer
meetings. One shows the baptism of Pocahontas. The other shows a Bible study
among the Pilgrims. Another mural depicts George Washington resigning his
commission, while holding a copy of his Prayer for the States and State
Governors in his hands.
It was a National Day of Reconciliation. The presence of God, the love of
God, and our need for God's forgiveness and protection were among the dominant
themes. "Who called this meeting...God did!" These were the words Chaplain of
the Senate Lloyd John Ogilvie used in his opening remarks.
One Senator said that in the meeting, he could feel God forgiving us as a
nation. Another elected official had the vision of the tribe of America marching
toward the limits of God’s sovereign protection, but that their leaders had
stood at the edge and began signaling to the people to begin turning.
At the heart of such a gathering is God's promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If
my people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their
wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal
their land."
Believers should rejoice that such a gathering took place. Although America's
greatest sin, that of abortion, was not explicitly mentioned, some groundwork
was laid for national repentance. After all, the attitude of humble prayer and
worship is completely contrary to the attitude of "pro-choice." Prayer and
worship says to God, "You are Lord of me, my life, and my choices." Pro-choice
says, "I am Lord of me, my life, and my choices." The two just don't mix, and if
we spend enough time on our knees, worship may begin to replace the destructive
abortion mentality.
One's public and private life cannot be completely separated. One's beliefs
and one's public service cannot be totally severed. As the US Catholic bishops
have written, "Nor can we practice the Gospel of life only as a private piety.
American Catholics must live it vigorously and publicly, as a matter of national
leadership and witness, or we will not live it at all" (1998, Living the Gospel
of Life, n.20).
Scripture urges us to pray for our leaders and our nation. Perhaps what
happened on December 4, without the glare of media, will bring us a step closer
to a Culture of Life.
