Holiness Reeducation "A Prayer for the Day After the Election" by Greg for Wednesday, 9 November 2016

Holiness Reeducation   "A Prayer for the Day After the Election" by Greg for Wednesday, 9 November 2016
The earth shook last night.
It was a cultural earthquake whose seismic tremors have woken up the whole world. We are awake now Father, and we are as lost as those who wander through the wreckage of the world they used to know. We are searching, searching for answers, searching for hope, searching for an understanding of what just happened and what it means for our lives.
We give thanks that your kingdom is unshakeable. As the world oscillates and flips upside down, your kingdom remains. Never has our status as citizens of your kingdom been a greater consolation or source of hope. The kingdoms of this earth ebb and flow, they stand and they stumble, but your kingdom, our home, is both unchanging and ever advancing.
For those who rejoice this day, seeing this election as an act of justice or a reclamation of power or an important exertion of the people's will, we pray. We pray that in their joy over this election there would be a deep sense of sorrow. We pray they would look around at their brothers and sisters who are grieving today. We pray they would look to their neighbors and see those who are filled with great fear and they would be filled with understanding and compassion. We pray that none of us would never confuse the battle for political power with the work of your kingdom or the proclamation of good news.
For those who grieve today, Father, we ask that you would surround us with a renewed sense of your presence. For those who had tearful conversations with their children, because they are afraid of deportation, or war, or hatred, or misogyny, or a government run by people who have openly pandered to hate groups and racists, give words of strength and clarity. Give perseverance. Console your grieving and fearful children Father.
Grant your strength to all who understand anew our call to subvert the powers of this world and work for your justice. May we offer love, hospitality, and joy to all people. May we live out our citizenship in your kingdom in such boldness that no one could ever confuse us with those who are filled with hatred, fear, violence, or bigotry.
For those who will now have access to power, we pray. We pray that they will use their power to defend the weak and make room for the marginalized. We pray that somehow your will would be done by those who have used the mechanisms of our broken world to gain power for themselves. Grant wisdom and character where we have not seen them. Grant patience, kindness, and grace to those who have not shown them. Where their plans work to make the world a more broken place, thwart them.
Where we have the power to subvert those plans, grant us strength to do so. Where we must stand up and suffer to defend those who are vulnerable, grant us a willingness to endure. Where we must be the church in America, rather than an American church, send prophets to speak your truth and give us ears to hear and hearts to follow.
We are uncertain of what will happen next in our world, Father. This uncertainty, however, we count as a gift. It is a gift to be reminded that our hope is only ever in you. It is a gift to be reminded that we do the work of your kingdom, not by the means of the world but by the subversive and transforming power of your love. It is a gift to have a chance to speak out for and defend those who are at risk and marginalized, because in this you are honored and glorified among all people.
So this day we pray to you, our great King. We declare ourselves citizens of your kingdom. We pledge allegiance to you our God. We register as members of your party, the Heavenly Banquet. We commit to a stronger, clearer, more unified voice, that fights for justice, that wages a war of love, and that proclaims you as Lord.
Forgive us.
Restore us.
Strengthen us.
Glorify us in your name.
Amen.

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Greg

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Categories: Scripture and Discipleship

URL: http://wp.me/pqY3-UA
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Thank you for the encouragement this morning. Amen.
When, Craig Keen, stated that Donald Trump can be President of The Red States and Hillary Clinton can be President of The Blue States, my son, James, said that maybe the Blue States should be a separate nation. The Nation made up of Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont. An 18 State Nation called the Union States.
Love you

Gary
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