Former Colorado state senator Polly Baca gave the invocation opening the Democratic National Convention Monday afternoon in Denver. Her invocation (full text) asked for God's guidance and focused on commitment to "the poor, the sick, the disabled, the stranger, the immigrants." The invocation was explicitly Christian, ending with "We pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
Monday's closing benediction (full text) was given by Don Miller, a Portland, Oregon author and speaker on Christian spirituality. He replaced Cameron Strang who decided not to give the benediction out of concern that it could be seen as a political endorsement. (See prior posting.) Christianity Today published an interview with Miller about his planned benediction and his political views. Miller's benediction focused on social justice issues and economic opportunity, as well as on "our moral standing in the world". It ended with: "I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice. Let Him be our example."
A DNC release lists all faith leaders who will open and close convention sessions with prayer. The only non-Christian delivering an invocation is Rabbi David Saperstein of the Union for Reform Judaism. He will open Thursday's session, the evening on which Obama will accept the nomination. Faith caucuses are scheduled of early afternoon on Tuesday and Thursday. Participants in them are also listed in the DNC release.
