The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Public Prayer in a Pluralistic Setting

For me, the answer to your question(s) is quite simple:

1. A Christian's primary duty is to pray to the one true living God. The possibility of offending someone who is not a Christian is a mute issue for all men by nature are at enmity with God and doubtless they will de facto be offended regardless of what is prayed. In very general terms, a public prayer should include a prayer of repentance, confessing that we as a people have transgressed God's holy law most willingly and are therefore worthy of God's just judgment (Neh 1:5f; Is 64:6,7; Lam 3:39-42; Dan 9:4f). Thus a plea for God to have mercy upon us and grant us grace that we may be given a new heart that we might embrace the only means of forgiveness which is found in the LORD Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man.

2. In regard to the ones hearing public prayer which I'm assuming is at an 'ecumenical' function, a true Christian will be most offended at any and all prayers offered to false deities. Yet, knowing that all unbiblical prayer offered by those outside of Christ are "natural" and that such prayers will go unheeded by God (Ps 66:18; Job 27:8,9; Prov 15:8, 28:9; Is 1:15; Jh 9:31; Jam 4:3).