News

The prayer from John McCain’s pastor

“Father, we think that he has been prepared for such a time as this.”

Christianity Today September 4, 2008

House Minority Leader John Boehner had to bang the gavel twice to get people’s attention to stop popping the balloons and start praying.

These are the words Sen. John McCain’s pastor Dan Yeary prayed:

“Almighty God, we are grateful for the gift called America. We are thankful for the freedom to celebrate what we are doing and have done this week. We have repeatedly invoked your blessing on our country. And as we do, we are reminded of the words you gave to Solomon: if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, you will hear from heaven and heal our land.

So we pray, humble us Lord, humble us as a people to serve you, help us to seek your face alone. Give us the courage to turn from our self-centered, wicked ways. Hear us, oh Lord, as we ask you to heal our land. We ask you to still the storms … tonight that we ask that you protect our young men and young women who are protecting us from terrorism.

Lord, we ask a very special blessing on our brother John McCain. (cheering)

Father, we think that he has been prepared for such a time as this. We ask that you give him wisdom and courage, wisdom that comes from you, and courage that comes from his relationship with you. We ask your blessing and divine protection on Cindy and the children. May they see such honor and integrity in their parents that they rise up and call them blessed.

Oh Lord, in humility, we ask that you remind us that we cannot put our country first unless you are foremost. For as Jesus taught his disciplines, thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Our Latest

Worship, Bible Studies, and Restoration in South Korea’s Nonprofit Prison

Jennifer Park in Yeoju, South Korea

Somang Prison, the only private and Christian-run penitentiary in Asia, seeks to treat inmates with dignity—and it sees results.

News

‘I’m Not Being Disrespectful, Mama. I Just Don’t Understand.’

America’s crisis of reading instruction is by now well-known. But have you checked on your kid’s math skills lately?

The Bulletin

Sunday Afternoon Reads: Lord of the Night

Finding God in the darkness and isolation of Antarctica.

The Russell Moore Show

Why Do Faithful Christians Defend Harmful Things?

Russell answers a listener question about how we should perceive seemingly harmful political beliefs in our church congregations.

The Complicated Legacy of Jesse Jackson

Six Christian leaders reflect on the civil rights giant’s triumphs and tragedies.

News

The Churches That Fought for Due Process

An Ecuadorian immigrant with legal status fell into a detention “black hole.” Church leaders across the country tried to pull him out.

The Bulletin

AI Predictions, Climate Policy Rollback, and Obama’s Belief in Aliens

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

The future of artificial intelligence, Trump repeals landmark climate finding, and the existence of aliens.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube