PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, USA, CAUGHT PRAYING TO ALLAH
The Presbyterian Church, USA [PCUSA], is raising eyebrows after lifting up prayers to Allah at its General Assembly meeting last month. “Allah, bless us and bless our families and bless our Lord. Lead us on the straight path—the path of all prophets: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed.”
These are the words that rang out over the congregation at The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, USA, and meeting in Portland, Oregon last month. Wajidi Said, co-founder of the Muslim Education Trust, led the attendees in the prayer to the Islamic deity, a move arranged by the staff of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministry at the assembly.
The prayer was part of the first order of business during the meeting’s opening session, a time dedicated to praying for those affected by the Orlando shooting that had occurred just weeks before. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, let us praise the Lord…Peace be upon them and peace be upon Allah,” Wajidi Said prayed. He also prayed peace upon the “bigots” and “Islamaphobes.”
Later, at the conclusion of the session, Rev. Gradye Parsons offered an apology to anyone who was offended by the prayer. He assured the congregation that mistakes can be made, but the prayer was not an intentional one. “It was never the intention to offend anyone, and we offer an apology to those who were offended,” Rev. Parsons said. But the Presbyterian church still affirms that it will advocate for “positive relationships with people of other religious traditions” and is committed to fighting “the rise of Islamophobia.”
Be forever vigilant as you heed the words of Jesus when He urged us to “Be as wise/shrewd as serpents, but as harmless/innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
Devotedly your pastor,
Bill Blanchard