Like a prayer

Michele Bachmann wants in, maybe:

In an interview last week with a religious TV program, Bachmann said that she’s praying on if she should return to Washington at a time when “the swamp is so toxic.”

“The question is: Am I being called to do this now?” she told televangelist Jim Bakker. “I don’t know. I don’t know.

Do you suppose the answer to her prayers will be no, don't run?

I'm trying not to be snide about this development. I pray every day and anyone who is serious about prayer understands that guidance on how one should proceed is a huge part of why people pray. Having said that, Jesus had the proper advice:

"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

That's Matthew 6:6. Matthew 6:5 is equally important:

When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Jim Bakker's television show is every bit a street corner. My advice to Bachmann: either run, or don't. But claiming the imprimatur of prayer once you decide to run, because I'll be shocked if she doesn't, isn't useful.