The Chaplain of the House of Representatives is so sensitive to others’ beliefs that even though he’s given 44 prayers this session of the House, he hasn’t said the word “Jesus” once, and will not say it.
The House chaplain has not made one reference to Jesus in the 44 prayers he has given in the 114th Congress. Conroy, who became the chaplain in 2011, consistently begins his prayers by referencing “eternal God” or “gracious God” and usually concludes them by saying, “May all that is done this day be for your greater honor and glory.”
“I understand my responsibility is to offer prayers that all the members of the House can say ‘Amen’ to,” Conroy said, “which is the difference in my mind between a chaplain and a pastor. A pastor is responsible for his or her denomination and nurturing their shared faith. So if that’s Christian, you do pray in the name of Jesus. But if your congregation, so to speak, is inter-religious, I try to word it in such a way that everybody present can say, ‘Amen.’”
I wonder how many times House members have referred to “the prophet Muhammed,” even though their faith doesn’t ostensibly recognize him as a “prophet”? It’s just weird that people are offended by the very mention of Jesus Christ’s name. I guess that shows just how much power the Word has.