The human race has always existed under many kinds of pressures. One of those pressures has been the frequent attempt to yoke a particular religion or certain religious tenets with the intended operation of government. Religion should always try to influence government, but it should never seek to be identified with government. Today we shall contemplate how, historically and contemporaneously, the cultural union of church and state has adversely affected the state. With inquisitive minds, let us worship God.
Pastoral Prayer
We pray, Lord God, for a nation assailed by one jaw-dropping headline after another. We pray for citizens who are fearful because of the uncertainty we are facing, for those who are delighted with what is happening, and for those who choose to be utterly oblivious to all of it. Where all of us are affected by the turmoil whether or not we are aware of it, unite us to withstand it in the midst of it. As was said long ago and in another situation, “We are living, we are dwelling, in a grand and awful time.” Be with all of our citizens, whatever their thoughts as collectively we wend our way through constant unprecedented political eruptions. Bless those in high positions in the federal government, giving them clear vision, steadfast wisdom, and the courage to seek to the right for the body politic, regardless of the political consequences to themselves or to their parties.
We pray for those who are seeking to turn back to an earlier time when the religious establishment controlled important facets of the governmental structure. Enable them to understand that what they want may benefit their own constituency, but that it may also violate the rights of others who do not share the same values or ideas about life in a democracy. We pray for those whose lives have been curtailed by religious precepts passed into laws, and where injustice is perceived to have occurred. Grant a greater breadth of spirit to those who firmly know what they believe but are willing to allow others to believe and to behave differently, without trying to curtail opposing concepts.
We praise and thank Thee, O God, for the challenges and the opportunities and even the obstacles of life. By all of them we find life to be more fascinating and enriching, even if at times it is also more exasperating. Give to each of us sufficient energy and tenacity for the journey, so that at the end, others may say of us and we can say of ourselves, that we have done our best, as limited as it has been. Keep our zeal strong, when circumstances seem to surround us. We ask these things in the name of one who, at this time of year many centuries ago, was faced with mounting legions of troubles, yet persevered to the end. Now we pray together as that same man taught his original followers, saying, Our Father….