A number of years ago the US Congress set aside the first Thursday in May as the “National Day of Prayer.” The purpose for doing so was to encourage the country to offer prayers to God on behalf of the United States to the extent that we would be a God-fearing, God-honoring nation.

There are many things commendable about such a day. It is good that we live in a country where its leaders still have some desire to invoke God’s blessings on the country that they lead. It is good that our nation still feels at least some need for the guidance of the Creator, though that feeling is quickly dwindling. It is good that people recognize that there are problems existing in America that will only be solved as people turn in penitence to God. However, the ironic thing about the National Day of Prayer is that most of the people involved in establishing and promoting it, though they may be devout and sincere, do not possess the relationship with God that they must have in order for Him to hear their prayers.

The Bible makes clear the point that only those who sustain a right relationship with God can expect Him to be attentive to their prayers (1 John 3:22; James 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:12; Psa. 66:18; Isa. 59:1-2). Prayer is a privilege enjoyed by those who are God’s children – those who can call God their Father through their proper relationship with Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:6). Yet most religious people reject what Jesus Himself said about being saved (Mark 16:16), and are therefore still lost. One cannot sustain a relationship with Christ while rejecting what He teaches (John 15:14; 14:15; 12:48). Such are not in fellowship with God, nor are they in fellowship with those who are in fellowship with God (1 John 1:7). As “out of vogue” as that may be with today’s religious masses, the fact remains that the Bible still teaches it.

That’s why it concerns me greatly to hear of members of the Lord’s church involving themselves in National Day of Prayer festivities with denominational churches. While the intent behind the National Day of Prayer is commendable, the truth remains that it is wrong for children of God to extend Christian fellowship to those who are outside the body of Christ — those who continue to promote division through denominationalism (Eph. 5:11; Rom. 16:17-18; 2 John 9-11). Most organizers of National Day of Prayer festivities promote the event as an opportunity for people of different “churches” to cast off their differences and join together in the fellowship of prayer. To extend such fellowship leaves the impression that those who are lost and separated from God really are not. May we never forget that we will never end religious division by compromising with it and/or pretending it is not as serious as it is.

Will I be praying for America on May 1? Yes, just as I try to do regularly. But I’ll not be involved in any organized activities in which I must embrace denominationalists as if they were faithful children of God, and act as though the differences that divide us are immaterial. Jesus does not approve of denominational division (John 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10-13). Why should I act as though I do?

Eddie Parrish