On Thursday, May 5, Islamic prayer warriors will be out in force. They will be gathering on the city square in America's largest cities, prayer mats in hand, to pray for our nation.

This fictional news blurb was written to make a point. Most conservative Christians would be somewhat disturbed by the above statement, as they would a similar statement regarding Wiccans, Buddhists, or other nonChristian religious groups.

Frankly, it doesn't disturb me. What DOES disturb me is that Christian groups are doing the same thing on the public squares of many communities, and widely advertising it.

There should be nothing at all offensive about the Christian faith, if practiced to the standards preached by Christ. If anything, the Christian faith should be compelling due to the faithful and loving practices of its followers. Sadly, many nonChristians' experiences (and the experience of some CHRISTIANS as well), have been anything but. Christianity has been used as a weapon too often by those who have no idea what the faith entails.

I support the National day of prayer, but only when it is recognized as a national day of prayer for ALL faiths, and not for one. Personally, I don't need a declaration of the president in order to pray, nor, in fact, should anyone who considers themselves to be religious.

I look for the day when the National Day of Prayer is a day for ALL faiths to celebrate their faith. And then, and only then, will I stand on the public square; when Muslims, Jews, Christians, Wiccans, Buddhists, and all other men and women of faith can stand beside me and unite, if not in faith, in prayer and concern for our country.

Until then, I'll stay home.