President Obama has been roundly criticized by "prominent evangelicals" for not continuing President Bush's tradition regarding the National Day of Prayer. "Under Bush, the day was a political event, confirming a conviction that religion was a core tenet of Republican politics."
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs clarified that the President's decision: "Prayer is something that the president does every day. I think the president understands, in his own life and in his family's life, the role that prayer plays."
Those who are unhappy with Obama's decision would be well advised to consult their own Bibles, and read Matthew 6:5-6, which offers explicit directions on how prayer may be offered:
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
