PROVIDENCE – Prayer in America will be the topic of a two-part documentary to air later this month on Rhode Island PBS.
The program examines the history of prayer in America, and studies how the settlement and development of the country shaped prayer, and how the variety of prayer experiences contributed to, and continue to, shape the unique American experience.
The documentary was inspired by the book “One Nation under God: A History of Prayer in America,” by James P. Moore Jr. The documentary chronicles the role of prayer in many facets of American life, and explores topics including school prayer, the immigrant experience, slavery and prayer, the prosperity gospel, the social gospel, prayer and forgiveness, prayer and healing, war and prayer and civil religion.
On February 5, religious leaders representing several faiths in Rhode Island gathered at PBS studios to watch a part of the documentary and later to engage in a discussion of the issues raised in the broadcast. The first segment of Prayer in America will air February 21 at 8 p.m., followed by a conversation featuring local panelists Rev. Dr. Donald Anderson, executive minister, Rhode Island Council of Churches; Imam Farid Ansari of the Muslim American Dawah Center in Providence; Rabbi Marc Jagolinzer, representing the Rhode Island Board of Rabbis, and religious leader of Temple Shalom, Middletown; Paula Dove Jennings, a Narragansett tribal elder, and Pich Choen, a former Buddhist monk who now serves as a community organizer and activist.
Part two of the documentary, which airs February 28 at 8 p.m., will be followed by a discussion offered by Father John Codega, pastor of Christ the King Church, West Warwick; The Rev. Dr. Liliana DaValle, executive minister, American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, Providence; The Rev. Dr. Janice Thompson, pastor, River of Life Church, Providence, and ACI Prison Chaplain, The Rev. Timothy Burger, Assistant Rector, Church of the Epiphany, Rumford; and Dr. Matthew Bagger, assistant professor of Religious Studies, Brown University. Both discussions were moderated by Marc Joel Levitt, a radio and television host who has won numerous awards for his work in the arts and humanities.
These conversations about the role of prayer in American culture initially began during an interfaith conference, sponsored by Rhode Island PBS that was held January 24 at the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island Multicultural Center in Kingston.
In part two of the documentary, panelists learned that more than 80 percent of Americans pray regularly. Those interviewed emphasized that they pray to a higher power for a variety of reasons, including adoration to God, penitence and thanksgiving.
One corrections officer, noting the important role of prayer in prisons, noted that he begins each day with prayer.
“I try to get to God, before the world gets to me,” he said.
Several inmates interviewed emphasized the important role that prayer has in their daily lives behind bars and the need for religious services to accommodate worshippers of every faith who are in prison.
The documentary examines the relationship between prayer and political action in the Temperance Movement, and notes that a later development in the fight against alcohol abuse, the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, was based on the need for the support of a higher power by those who sought a religious awakening by admitting their helplessness and submitting to God.
During the panel discussion, the participants discussed the role of religion in prison, and whether or not the government should fund chaplaincy programs.
“I see the effects of religion and faith in prisons as being a good thing,” said Thompson, who noted that Jewish, Muslim and Wicca faith leaders, in addition to representatives from several Christian religious, minister to prisoners.
“All of this has a very positive effect,” she noted, adding that inmates discuss issues such as forgiveness, peace, freedom and their past offenses.
Thompson said that prayer has a “calming effect” on the prisoners as they contemplate a higher power.
One of the most thought-provoking parts of the discussion was about the definition of prayer and the use or purpose of prayer today. Some participants described prayer as a comfort measure in times of need or a place to offer petitions to God.
Father Codega added that is appropriate, but in the Catholic tradition prayer must lead to action.
“Prayer without follow-up is often empty,” he said. “If we pray to God, we must also listen for his response. If God is going to grant my prayer or the prayers of others, often times he is going to need faithful men and women to carry out his plan. My prayer must lead to the action of answering God’s call to service. Likewise, I am counting on others to do the same so that God may work in my life though them.”
