Nelson), has launched a new prayer effort to support president-elect Barack
Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration.
Lucado is using the popular social networking tool Twitter to spread the word
about the initiative. “It's time to pray for the leaders of our nation,” he
said. “They need our prayers. The times are turbulent: economy in jeopardy,
nations in conflict. How can leaders lead during a day of bailouts and bombings?
Only with God's help.”
Lucado is asking Christians to sign up at his Web site, www.maxlucado.com/president. Since making the announcement
late last week, more than 55,000 people and groups had signed up for the prayer
effort.
Meanwhile, Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.,
and author of The Purpose-Driven Life (Zondervan), commended Obama's
“courage” for allowing him to deliver the invocation during the inauguration. Warren's selection last week angered Obama's
liberal supporters unhappy with Warren's conservative stance on homosexuality
and abortion. Some pro-life leaders also called on Warren to reject the
invitation because of Obama's pro-choice positions.
“I am honored to pray God's blessing on the office of the President and its
current and future inhabitant, asking the Lord to provide wisdom to America's
leaders during this critical time in our nation's history,” Warren said.
Warren also appeared Dec. 19 on NBC's Today show and Dateline,
where he further discussed his views.-Christian Retailing