Prayer As a Weapon
Posted by Steve - November 2, 2009
A rather recent news article about an unnamed school in the eastern US prompted this episode. Ray and Steve discuss the use of prayer as a weapon in public (not Christian-specific) settings, and whether or not prayer should ever be used in that form of making one’s point.
As often happens in the discussions on this podcast, there are some rabbit trails, but by and large, the questions and dicussion revolve around questions related to how we demonstrate our faith in public. Should Christians use public prayer as an evangelistic tool? Or should prayer be reserved for more personal settings (or at best settings which are denoted as Christian-specific)?
Forgive the out-of-date World Series discussion at the top, by the way. Things are not looking as good for the Phillies as Steve hoped when this was recorded. 
Unedited, unscripted, raw discussion of life outside the box of institutional religion–the trademark style of Beyond the Box.
Beyond the Box is the podcast of Raborn Johnson and Steve Sensenig. We have been encouraging each other in the journey outside the bounds of institutional religion for several years now and share many of our candid thoughts and questions in our podcast.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Ann and I enjoyed listening guys. I so agree with you in this area. I have been saying for a while that we need to interpret the bible (especially the OT) through the words, life and example of Jesus.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Bob,
Thanks for listening and thanks for the feedback!
November 9th, 2009 at 10:51 am
You are absolutely right. Blatant flaunting of Christianity is embittering to non-Christians. The fact I’m not only listening to you two every week, but that I enjoy it shows that an inclusive and respectful approach is more effective. Great episode.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Sid, thanks. I appreciate those thoughts. Thanks for continuing to listen!
November 13th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Have you guys been living in my brain lately? I’ve really been struggling with a lot of what this subject brings up. Especially as a youth pastor as I see the kids that I get to work with struggle with being “Christian.”
Thanks for putting yourself out there and being obedient to what God has placed on your heart. It’s an encouragement to me.
November 14th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Hi Jason,
Thanks for listening and for your encouraging words! We really appreciate you taking the time to stop by.
I think that alot of us are wrestling with what it means to be “Christian”. So much of what we have inherited as “Christianity” seems to fit better with the colonial tendency to force our beliefs on others than with the call of Jesus to be salt and light as we live out love before the world.
Thanks again