Why is prayer so controversial?

I've been attacked for many things in my life.

For some of them, I deserved it.

I've beat myself up for much of what I've done.

But I never thought I would be a target of criticism for calling on the nation to pray.

Yet that is just what is happening in light of my call for 911 National Day of Prayer and Fasting.

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An editorial in the Times and Democrat of Orangeburg, S.C., expresses concerns about the idea.

"Our concern is attempts to make such a prayer day a political statement," the editorial says. "It is being proposed and pushed via petition by Joseph Farah – founder, editor and CEO of WND.com, formerly known as WorldNetDaily. Farah is the author of 'The Tea Party Manifesto.' His 2003 bestseller. 'Taking America Back,' predicted the rise of the tea party."

So who said anything about politics?

Who said anything about a political statement?

Obviously, the unnamed editors of the Times and Democrat did – by insinuation.

Because I have written some books that were political in nature and presumably because I have some strong political opinions, I am somehow not worthy of calling for a day of prayer.

Rep. Michele Bachmann's support of the project is also mentioned prominently in the editorial. I guess she's disqualified to be involved in national prayer, too, on the basis of politics.

Chuck Norris is also supportive of the plan. And we all know he's politically active.

David Barton has offered his endorsement of the 911 Day of Prayer and Fasting. He is suspect, too, I suppose because he has political opinions.

Jonathan Cahn, the author of "The Harbinger," the bestselling Christian book of 2012 and 2013, has some political opinions as well. So I guess the presumption by the editors of this little local newspaper is that the 911 Day of Prayer and Fasting is going to be some kind of political event disguised as a prayer event.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, I have made it abundantly clear in all I have said and written about this event that it is the only hope for our country – that politics can't save us.

The only qualification for participation in prayer should be a knowledge of what God requires of us. The God of the Bible says he won't hear our prayers unless they are offered in true humility and repentance for our sins. There needs to be an awareness of what sin is for prayers to be effective.

Sadly, today, it is considered "politically incorrect" today to even acknowledge sin.

Sadly, today, it is interpreted as a political act to denounce what the Bible characterizes as sin.

Sadly, today, repenting of sin is the most egregious political act one can commit.

Is the 911 National Day of Prayer and Fasting political?

Only in the vivid, warped and distorted imaginations of people with their own political agenda.