That’s 11 official prayer days in 28 months

President Bush’s Memorial Day proclamation has two important sentiments, one I can wholeheartedly agree with, the other I can’t.

First, Bush noted that on Memorial Day, “America undertakes its solemn duty to remember the sacred list of brave Americans who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom and the security of our Nation. By honoring these proud Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen lost throughout our country’s history, we renew our commitment to upholding the democratic ideals they fought and died to preserve.”

So far, so good. It’s important that we, as a people, never forget the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform — a point that is even more poignant in the shadow of a war.

But Bush, as he’s done on every Memorial Day since his inauguration, did not simply honor fallen heroes, he also urged all of us — again — to mark the occasion through worship.

His Memorial Day proclamation marks today as “a day of prayer for permanent peace.” Bush’s edict designates “the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer.”

If this issue sounds familiar to you, it’s because I noted earlier this month that Bush has shown an unprecedented interest in using his office to designate official “prayer days.” With this year’s Memorial Day proclamation, Bush has designated 11 government days of prayer in the 28 months of his presidency. This works out to an average of an official prayer day every 10 weeks — and he’s got at least another year and a half to go.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — Americans don’t need government proclamations to tell them when and why to pray. Worship is among the most private areas of a person’s life. Bush seems to believe he should use his office to remind people to engage in prayer by repeatedly issuing official religious edicts. He’s mistaken.