Day of prayer isn't exclusionary

In response to Theodore Utchen's letter regarding the National Day of Prayer, claiming Obama did right in refusing to hold a White House prayer event. If our president is a genuine Christian, as he has claimed to be, there is no reason why he should have forsaken this precedent. He would not be violating anyone's religious rights. It is "a Christian day," as Mr. Utchen wrote, but it does not deny anyone of any faith their right to pray as they wish. Why must time-established precedents be ignored or abandoned just to please some, usually those who do not pray at all?

I do not think those who have been welcomed to our country wish to deny Christians this right. I have read statements of faith from every U.S. president; giving thanks to God for the freedoms we enjoy and this national day of prayer has never been challenged. Why wouldn't the Christian want God's restored blessing on our country? Divine help is needed as never before. Those who give allegiance to other gods and the 15 percent of "unbelievers" are not being forced to pray. Our God invites us to pray for our land; is that wrong?

As a nation, we need to return to righteous living, for then we are promised God's blessing on America. Public or private, prayer is needed in these dire days when nations are threatening the existence of other nations and so many are living outside the bounds of decency and honor.

Elizabeth Pearson

Elmhurst