As you may know in our culture these days saying a prayer and referencing Jesus can be really controversial or intolerant by some.  But what about saying this in a prayer, “Christian land governed by Christian principles” ?

Well, as you may guess, this is exactly what happened on May 21st.  Cynthia Dunbar actually used those words in a prayer she said at a Texas State Board of Education Meeting, and immediately she was attacked by some in the media.

The problem is that Dunbar was quoting a left leaning Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren said this during a prayer breakfast in 1954!  Read here for the full controversy.

Here is the full prayer that sparked the controversy.

Most gracious Heavenly Father, we come before you today and ask that you grant to us
     The ability to not be anxious for the Future;
     Wisdom and understanding for the Day;
     and Hearts of gratitude for the Past.
     As we look to our Past to guide us, let us reflect on the convictions of those who have gone before us.
   “I believe no one can read the history of our country without realizing that the Good Book and the Spirit of the Saviour have from the beginning been our guiding geniuses…whether we look to the first Charter of Virginia…or to the Charter of New England…or to the Charter of Massachusetts Bay…or to the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut…the same objective is present: a Christian land governed by Christian principles.
   I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it: freedom of belief, of expression, of assembly, of petition, the dignity of the individual, the sanctity of the home, equal justice under law and the reservation of powers to the people.
    … I like to believe we are living today in the spirit of the Christian religion. I like also to believe that as long as we do so, no great harm can come to our country.”

Chief Justice Earl Warren
Prayer Breakfast, Mayflower Hotel, Feb. 1954

All this I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.