Many people in many parts of the world care deeply about many things. Some of them become extremists in their views. How ought we, as Christians, to deal with such folks? Upon this question we shall focus this morning. We thank God for everyone, however much we may be at odds with them, and we pray for God to inspire all of us to live in growing harmony with one another, regardless of our strong differences of opinion. With that in mind, let us, with confidence, worship God.
Pastoral Prayer
Loving God, we praise Thee for being the Creator of every person who lives on earth, and for all the strengths, wisdom, and abilities which everyone has. We thank Thee for the zeal various people bring to many issues which confront us in life: in religion, politics, the multiplicity of our cultures, and in the societal patterns which have evolved among all of us. Though there is but one human race, there are many manifestations of humanity, and they make life both very interesting and very complex. Ultimately Thou art Lord of all, and therefore we ask Thy guidance as all of us seek to live well and wisely with one another in an increasingly complicated world.
We pray for people who are so convinced that their way is the only way that they are willing violently or vociferously to try to force everyone into their way of thinking. Guide the leaders among such people that they may learn how to control the often admirable zeal exhibited by their fellow believers. Enter the hearts and minds of leaders of religion and nations who attempt to build bridges to those who nurture extreme outlooks. Prevent anyone from using their commitment to certain ideas or beliefs as weapons against others who do not fully subscribe to those ideas or beliefs, so that all of us may learn how to disagree much more agreeably.
We pray for people who find themselves in the crossfire of conflicting ideologies in various places around the world, and especially for innocent bystanders who are drawn into conflicts not of their desire or their making. Be with the missionaries of all religions who seek to bring love and justice into situations of longstanding animosity and distrust. Be with medical personnel everywhere who attempt to restore the sick to health, with those who bring food to the starving and hope to those who have felt forgotten. Make each of us ministers of Thy healing love, that the world around us may be a better place because we helped to make it so. All these prayers we offer in the name of Jesus Christ, who proclaimed Thy kingdom, and who has become for us its earthly King. Now we join together in words he taught his disciples, saying, Our Father