As the election season continues to unfold, there are new ways of giving benedictions in our multicultural world. Florida megachurch pastor Joel Hunter broke the mold by interrupting the final benediction of the Democratic National Convention to request that all who prayed with him “close this prayer in the way your faith tradition would close your prayer.”
In years past, debates and even a suit by atheist Michael Newdow followed controversial inaugural prayers by evangelist Franklin Graham and Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston.
Now, Hunter’s benediction has been declared “unusual” by a Wall Street Journal blog and noted by ChristianityToday.com’s Ted Olsen.
“Yes, he prayed in Jesus’ name,” Olsen wrote. “But I don’t think I’ve ever seen that long of a preface to praying in Jesus’ name.”
Beliefnet.com’s editor-in-chief Steven Waldman learned that Franklin Graham’s father gave Hunter this advice as crafted his benediction: “Just say what God gives you.”
YouTube.com features Hunter’s Thursday night prayer on its Web site.
