Comments on: Prayer As a Political Act

By: priest

priest — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:15:17 +0000

so encouraging to see JFP in the curriculum. what a challenging read. really exposed the political language of the gospels (and entire biblical narrative) for me. that’s something I didn’t see after 27 years of Chris’s sola scriptura approach.

By: Keith Brenton

Keith Brenton — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:45:26 +0000

I am an ornery person, but I think it’s shameful that the two major political parties have come up with a candidate for president and a candidate for vice president with no more experience in political leadership than I have with learning Turkish or managing beehives.

Yes, prayer is definitely called for. We need the experience and wisdom of our King in governing us.

By: Daniel Gray

Daniel Gray — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:39:48 +0000

preach it preacherman!

By: David D.

David D. — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:32:35 +0000

Mike,

Yes, prayer for the candidates and their families is right and proper.
And it is right and proper that we be most concerned about our spiritual walk.
I intend to add to that prayer list–prayer for our country and each citizen, prayer that voters will use their brain not their emotions when going to the polls [i.e. look for substance from the candidates rather than voting for flowery, empty speeches], prayer for the whole world.
If voters use only their emotions for voting–we will have strong need for committment to God and our Savior Jesus Christ. The outcome of this election is most important.

By: preacherman

preacherman — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:27:16 +0000

I think promising to end abortion is a political act.
It is a secular ploy to get Christians to vote a certain way.

I think it is so sad that so many comments were talking about American Politics but only 3 mentioned anything about the slaves in Ghiana.

Should it shock up that politicians would us prayer as a political stunt?
You think how many times a certain party has had the chance, real chance to change abortion and haven’t.
Guilting people into voting a certain way isn’t going to work in the 21st century.
God help us to have a concern about the sufferings of our brothers and sisters. Open our eyes to the suffering in America.

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:29:37 +0000

Thank, Mike, for your salient reminder in this post. I also just read this most amazing article by Robert Novak, a man I have often loved to disagree with:’How a tumor is changing my life’:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/05/AR2008090503169.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Agreeing and disagreeing is never important in the grand scheme of life. Loving and caring for one another remains our greatest challenge.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:28:30 +0000

Thanks, Mike, for a voice of sanity in this election year.

By: Roger Butner

Roger Butner — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:23:03 +0000

Amen!

By: SG

SG — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:20:25 +0000

Mike
Thank you for being sane!
And truly I too think we should all be praying for all four candidates and their families. This race is hard on these people,their families, and their friends. They must all four feel called to serve on some level and love their country very much to be willing to go through this. For that they all four have my gratitude, even if only two get my vote.

By: Terry

Terry — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:21:27 +0000

Mike,
I liked your comment about Governor Palin not discriminating against her son with an extra chromosone. Thanks!

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:21:57 +0000

Kathy,

That’s absolutely right. I had it in mind that their children were a few years older than they were. I wasn’t around then so I don’t remember. Does anyone here have any memory of questions being asked about the potential negative effects on the Kennedy children?

That being said, I don’t think it is sexist to assume that having a mother unavailable or absent from her children for long periods of time isn’t different from a father being absent. I’m no psychologist but it seems the mother-infant relationship is different from the father-infant relationship. In any event, I am an advocate of any of the candidates to do whatever is needed to meet the needs of their family. I think we just have to assume that they all will have it covered no matter what their situation is.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:50:48 +0000

KyleL “I can’t remember any Presidential or VP candidate ever bringing an infant into an election.”

Well, dont know if this counts or not, but JFK brought a to-be-born infant into the White House.

By: Arlene Kasselman

Arlene Kasselman — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:21:20 +0000

Mike
thank you for offering sanity at a time like this. Claiborne’s book is going to be an incredible experience for your students and I am thankful that they get to process that with you and Randy.

I love the heart you have expressed here – one that feels drawn toward prayer for blessing and preparation for all involved in the political season that is already in full swing.

By: C.

C. — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:58:51 +0000

Thanks, Mike. My comment was more in response to Kyle stating his “worry”, which I’m sure is shared by many. Even though a special needs situation will have its occasional challenges that simply cannot be planned for, I believe the Palin’s show a consistency over the years of planning and organizing in lieu of spontaneous decisions. Through these examples, I have faith they covered everything required extensively before making this commitment.

By: Carolyn Dycus

Carolyn Dycus — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:29:36 +0000

Mike, I love it in this blog that you behave toward others with “conversation always full of grace, seasoned with salt,” and that you encourage the church to pray for our government leaders. As believers, that is our first duty…actually could be a full time job!:-)

Your words are kinder than my feelings about vitriolic political arguments–Reps and Dems. I join your admonition that the body of Christ universal visibly demonstrate that our hope and our strength is in the Lord! May we not, however, give up praying for GOD’s good for the imperfect but richly blessed nation in which we live.