Editor:
First I would like to thank Sean Morgan for the article written regarding my request to the Sweet Home City Council to consider opening council sessions in prayer. I was not able to attend the City Council meeting on March 13, since I was in Roseburg with my sick mother, and I did not know in advance that my request to consider opening with prayer, would be brought up on the 13th.
I am disappointed with the Sweet Home City Council and their unanimous vote, and once again my question is, “What could prayer hurt?” I did my research, I contacted over 70 cities, I found two that opened with prayer and I also found eight that did not open with prayer or the flag salute. (I have to admit, this surprised me and it saddened me.) I contacted several organizations for legal guidance for the city and then I presented an eight-page document from the Christian Law Association very clearly giving direction for the city and offering their services.
I also thought that since our Oregon State Legislature opens with prayer every day during session and our U.S. Congress opens with prayer every day during session, that our City Council could open with prayer at their twice monthly meetings.
I do not believe that “because of religious diversity that it is possible that we might be inviting an issue of contention with the City” as one councilor said at the City Council meeting, but that is his opinion. It is prayer, it is not an issue to cause division.
I believe the Bible to be true in its total content. The Bible says that we are to cooperate with those authority figures and obey the local and federal laws of the land, within the boundaries of God’s laws (1 Pet. 2:13-14).
Council is a legislative body of local government, a group of persons who, whether elected or appointed, serve as representatives of the public to establish state or municipal policies and to assist the chief executive of the government unit in the performance of duties.
The gentlemen that sit on the council of the city of Sweet Home are there because we put them there, to represent the people of this community, to vote on things that are important to the community. I asked them to open in prayer. That was important to me as a citizen and resident of this city. They took my request into consideration and voted it down. I now have to live with their decision. I don’t agree with it, but I accept it because that is their choice, not mine. These gentlemen are accountable for their actions to someone greater than you or me.
I tip my hat to the council for giving of their time and energy for the city on many other matters. This is their job, they have been placed there and make many decisions.
Carry on, gentlemen, with the tasks of the city ahead of you. I will be praying.
Nancy Patton
Sweet Home