PRAYER IN AMERICA National Website
PRAYER IN AMERICA asks the question, What role has prayer played in shaping the development and history of America? The two-part documentary explores contemporary debates about the role of prayer through the lens of history.
The two-part PRAYER IN AMERICA aired on:
Friday, December 21, 10:00 p.m. #101
Friday, December 28. 10:00 p.m. #102
PRAYER IN AMERICA explores myriad historical issues, events and perspectives related to prayer in the United States. The program will be presented in two one-hour segments. The rough outline for each hour is:
- Main Topics for Show One
- American Prayer
- Immigrant Experience
- Slavery & Prayer
- The Social Gospel, Business and Prayer
- School Prayer
- Main Topics for Show Two
- Forgiveness and Prayer (including prison ministry debates)
- Science, Healing & Prayer
- Civil Religion, War and Prayer
PRAYER IN AMERICA is not the end of the discussion. It's part of a continuum that is molded by people and events throughout history. To avoid the discussion is to avoid the "elephant in the room." In a world where prayer and religious practice are often seen as a dividing force, we hope our dialogue contributes to a better understanding of what it means to practice faith in America today. |
WVPT Local Programming discussing religion and prayer in America:
Thursday, May 31, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
“Consider This: Dr. Myron Augsburger”
Dr. Myron Augsburger, former president of Eastern Mennonite University, joins host Richard Parker to discuss religion and specifically the Christian's role in supporting the Iraqi War.
Thursday, July 19, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
“Consider This: Steve Wingfield”
Dr. Steve Wingfield, local author and evangelist, joins Richard Parker to discuss religion and prayer on a local and national level.
Sunday, September 9, 2007, 1:30 p.m.
“Consider This: Archbishop of Galilee Elias Chacour”
An Arab by birth, Christian by faith, and citizen of the modern state of Israel, Archbishop Chacour has become a global ambassador for reconciliation, traveling between the Middle East and other countries, spreading the message of peace.
Sunday, September 16, 2007, 6:00 p.m.
“Living in Virginia: Life of Peace in a Time of War”
“Life of Peace” presents a brief history of the Conscientious Objector (CO) movement from the Civil War to World War II. Focusing on the movement during World War II, the program features interviews with former COs and follows them to their former work camps as they relate their patriotism, their non-violent stance and their pride in serving their country.
Thursday, December 13, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
“Consider This: Pastor Alvano Gutierrez”
Pastor Alvano Gutierrez describes Grace Covenant Church in Harrisonburg as “one church with two congregations.” WVPT’s “Consider This” host Richard Parker talks with the pastor about the congregation, the Harrisonburg Spanish community, and assimilation.
Grace Covenant Church has a Spanish and English service, and Pastor Gutierrez says there was a need and vision for a Spanish church because of the large amount of Hispanic people in the area. Grace Covenant Church is one of nine Spanish churches in the area, and has about 315 members in the congregation. The church is hoping to add a third service that will include both Spanish and English.
Members of the congregation come from Central and South America, including the countries of Columbia, Bolivia, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico. Pastor Gutierrez says that although church members may be from different countries, speaking the same language makes getting along easier and helps keep them together as a family.
Thursday, December 27, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
“Consider This: Wendy Miller, Eastern Mennonite University”
Eastern Mennonite University professor and campus pastor, Wendy Miller, talks about prayer with host Richard Parker on “Consider This” Thursday, December 27, at 7:30 p.m.
Wendy Miller describes prayer as a conversation. She says people speak to God and God replies. The reply may not be the same, but God knows what people need to hear. Miller explains that all religions have some sort of prayer. She and Richard Parker discuss these and other issues concerning prayer on this episode of “Consider This.”
Funding for the PRAYER IN AMERICA television documentary and outreach campaign is provided by the John Templeton Foundation.
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RESOURCES
Prayer and Armed Conflict Essay
Prayer in Armed Conflict Newsletter
Prayer in America Workshop Guide
Small Group Study Questions
Links to Various Religious Groups in Virginia
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