"Deus, dona mihi serenitatem accipere res quae non possum mutare, fortitudinem mutare res quae possum, atque sapientiam differentiam cognoscere." These words form what is commonly known as the "Serenity Prayer," roughly translated by Alcoholic Anonymous founder William Griffith Wilson as "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Contrast that with the recent ministrations from pseudo-Christians-run-amok cabal Focus On The Family, who recently ran a web ad calling for people to ask God to rain out Barack Obama's DNC address, scheduled to take place at Denver's Invesco Field.
[WATCH.]
Shorter Stuart Shepard: "God, I lack the stones to face the things I cannot change, so I hope you have the courage to deliver unto me a juvenile dick move on behalf of an American political party, which I will have the wisdom to fatuously grandstand on after the fact."
Focus On The Family would be well advised to undertake a little study of the Christian liturgy, particularly Matthew 6, which specifically informs against this sort of nonsense: "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 (Matthew 6:5)." The video also violates the admonition offered by Matthew 6:6: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
According to Radar, this web ad has since been pulled. Which is too bad, because I was hoping to see these fools do their little rain dance.