Sep 02 2008
How would Jesus respond to his enemies?
Politics is ugly. I don’t think there is anyway around that. In recent weeks people on both sides of the aisle have been lobbing ugly responses dragging the name of God into their responses. Focus on the Family asked for people to pray during the Democratic National Convention so it would rain out Obama’s speech. Then Michael Moore said that Hurricane Gustav was proof that there is a God.
Instead of praying against the candidates I’m going to take an approach that I actually think Jesus would have taken.
Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Why should anyone who considers themselves followers of Jesus wish bad things on anyone? The truth is either Obama or McCain will be our next president. So instead of praying against one and for the other, I’m going to pray for both of them. I’m going to pray that God’s Will be done and that God will bless both of them. I’m praying that God will give them both wisdom to make wise decisions. I”m going to pray that God will give them strength to stand up for what is right. I’m going to pray that they are successful.
So instead of praying against people, I’m asking that we all pray for everyone!
What do you think?
8 responses so far
Good thoughts Kevin. Unfortunately, Christ followers tend to be known more for what they are against than what they are for. We tend to be reactive instead of proactive. time to change that. Now seems like a good time.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..Pressing Prayers
Kevin and Bill…great observations by both of you!
I agree…let’s begin praying now for both tickets…God already knows the outcome of the election and I don’t see heaven or hell being turned upside down by it! So, He’s got the outcome already under control.
Why worry? As believers, we need to spend time getting educated on the issues and the candidates, voting, and praying. That won’t leave much time for praying rain down on someone, claiming that God hates the Republicans or Democrats, or that a hurricane is God’s punishment on anyone.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Keeping Your Mouth Shut
Atheists never pray that God will do harm their enemies
KEVIN,
I agree with you completely. I’m tired of the mudslinging…especially from people who say they follow Christ.
Phil Hoover’s last blog post..Eight years ago today…
Bill, Steve and Phil,
Thanks for commenting. This my first chance to comment.
A3,
Good observation!
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..How would Jesus respond to his enemies?
I love how Dobson is now in the same sentence as Moore. It’s a pretty telling thing…
stuart’s last blog post..Labor Day
If we bring Obama to Houston, can Dobson pray for rain (without the crazy wind and needing to evacuate) to come to here? He can even bring Moore with him, and we will all keep our guns concealed.
I very much agree that it should be praying for both parties and all the people. Jesus isn’t a republican or a democrat…why can’t people remember that?
“Politics ARE ugly . . .”