Was Christ Ever Cruel?

Making the Christ-like choices

It’s mind-bogglingly easy to discern if the choices we make… if the opinions and policies we support are in line with Christ’s teachings. Rather than relying on some manipulated words from self-interested political creatures who style themselves as leaders – modern day Pharisees and Sadducees – ask yourself, “Was Christ ever cruel?” I defy anyone to find one example anywhere of systemic cruelty from Christ! Then, ask yourself about the issue at hand, “Is this cruel?” More specifically, is this choice, idea, opinion, or policy cruel?” 

No one believes kindness is wrong. We all believe cruelty is evil. It doesn’t matter what decision… It doesn’t matter which choice… It doesn’t matter what kind of ideology… It doesn’t matter which religion or if there’s a lack of religion… It doesn’t matter if your left leaning or right leaning. It doesn’t matter whether your Republican or Democrat or Green Party or Libertarian or Socialist or Independent. It doesn’t matter if your conservative or unaffiliated or liberal or progressive. None of it matters when making a choice – any choice… any decision… any policy.

It’s a very clear litmus test: Is this cruel? Ask the question when the choice is presented. Ask the question when the choice is decided. Is this cruel? If the answer is yes, then the choice and the decision are wrong.

Is it cruel? It is that simple.

There are ample verses of the words of Jesus and of Scriptures in the New Testament guiding us as Followers of Christ. The guidance is there for all to read – it’s clear and undeniable. It comes down to one word – that word is “LOVE.” So, ask yourself another question, “Does this choice express Christ’s love?”

Following are some of those passages of New Testament Scriptures:

CEB Markk 12:28 “…Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus replied, "The most important one is… Our God is the one Lord, 30 and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 The second is this, You will love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these."

John 14:15 [Jesus said] “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 20…you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."

John 15:10 [Jesus said] "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you.”

Romans 12:9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 16 Consider everyone as equal, and don't think that you're better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you're so smart… 18 If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. 20 …If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.

Romans 13:9 The commandments, Don't commit adultery, don't murder, don't steal, don't desire what others have, and any other commandments, are all summed up in one word: You must love your neighbor as yourself. 10 Love doesn't do anything wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is what fulfills the Law.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.

I Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn't arrogant, 5 it isn't rude, it doesn't seek its own advantage, it isn't irritable, it doesn't keep a record of complaints, 6 it isn't happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth… 13 Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.

Too Cool for God?

A poem musing on my path back to deep Faith…

Shattered by my self-flagellation…
Shuttered by self-inflicted penance…
Lost, alone by self-design…
And seeking self-redemption…
I lost the thread of His great Mercy…
Buried myself in sackcloth and ashes…

Held my head up way too high…
Smiled and pretended I didn’t care…
Denied my lost and wandering soul…
Filled with greed, sycophants, eyeing fame…
Pirouette… smile… dance the empty dance…
When did I become too cool for God?

When life was drained of all true meaning…
Abandoned to spiritual starvation…
When left with this longing of my soul…
I became jaded, cynical, incohesive.
The Godly I saw as gullible,
Old fashioned and just plain creepy…
Bible thumpin’ fanatics -- religious nuts.

But, a heart without words…
Facing an unknown future
In a world of confusion and noise…
Brought finally to finally realize
I can’t tune out the Voice of God.
A love for God sustains me.

A heart without word… restless…
May I always find rest in Him!
There’s joy in the presence of God,
And in every deed a purpose.
But, now I ask and I consider…
Am I cool enough for God?

Have I done to much and gone too wrong?
Am I still worthy of his Grace?
How can I even show my face?
Am I cool enough for God?
That doesn’t even matter!
‘Cause He’s cool enough for me!D. Denise Dianaty
© 03 September 2014

Forgiveness

With Him there is forgiveness
By the blood of His covenant
For many, for all… He was poured out

For the forgiveness of sins
When we are ever unworthy
By His blood we are redeemed

When we only believe…
By the grace of God… By the mercy of the Lord…
We unworthy receive forgiveness

Eyes are opened to the darkness
We see the darkness of life without Him
We are turned from darkness to the Light

From the Satan’s power to the glory of the Lord
Not by our own will – not by our deeds
We are forgiven… We are cleansed… We are sanctified

Our place by His side is assured
In our faith we shall testify of His Grace
With all our soul we shall praise and adore

In our hearts shall we magnify His Holy Name
Upon our heads the Holy Spirit rests

God encompasses… God among us… God within

(FROM THE NIV) – FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN

Mark 3:28 "I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.”

Luke 5:20 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'"

Romans 4:7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."

2 Corinthians 2:10 "If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,”

Hebrews 10:18 "And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”

James 5:15 "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.”

1 John 2:12 “ write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.”

©D. Denise Dianaty

08 January 2015

Shadowed Forests of the Past

A poem of a place I left behind when “Hope was born anew…”

Bad old, dark places…

Places where my life no longer dwells…

Looking back upon the past…

That wasting, dark, drear past…

Come words from a long ago

Where my soul no longer cowers.

A place of wrenching loneliness 

always on the edge of light,

waiting to drag me back…

back into it's embrace….

I just kept trying to hold on, 

trying to hold out for love; 

But, every day that passed without it, 

Loneliness lurked to overwhelm.

And, darker still, monsters lurked…

Monsters lurked at every… every turn…

Soul shattering dramas spun out

in relentless perversions of hope.

Until that pivotal moment…

that time when change began…

Change began and Hope was born…

Hope born anew within my breast.

In that Hope, on angel’s breath…

An angel-friend led me forward.

She led me through the dark

and back to light and Faith.

I learned the true Me…

the truest Me I was meant to be

And learning Me, I learned Love.

Learning Love, I learned to love.

It's a truly blessed state…

In brilliant shining sunlight…

A place of laughter and love and joy…

Such have I found for myself…

After the long, dark road through tortured, 

shadowed forests of the past.

© 19 September 2014 MomzillaNC

The Dance Plays On… 

A delicately sad tale of transcendent love, a perfect kiss, and haunting, beautiful tragedy… 

Shadowed Forests of the Past

A place I left behind when “Hope was born anew…
Bad old, dark places…
Places where my life no longer dwells…
Looking back upon the past…
That wasting, dark, drear past…
Come words from a long ago
Where my soul no longer cowers.

A place of wrenching loneliness
always on the edge of light,
waiting to drag me back…
back into it's embrace….
I just kept trying to hold on,
trying to hold out for love;

But, every day that passed without it,
Loneliness lurked to overwhelm.
And, darker still, monsters lurked…
Monsters lurked at every… every turn…
Soul shattering dramas spun out
in relentless perversions of hope.

Until that pivotal moment…
that time when change began…
Change began and Hope was born…
Hope born anew within my breast.
In that Hope, on angel’s breath…
An angel-friend led me forward.

She led me through the dark
and back to light and Faith.
I learned the true Me…
the truest Me I was meant to be
And learning Me, I learned Love.
Learning Love, I learned to love.

It's a truly blessed state…
In brilliant shining sunlight…
A place of laughter and love and joy…
Such have I found for myself…
After the long, dark road through tortured,
Shadowed forests of the past.

by D. Denise Dianaty
©19 September 2014

Faith-Centered Leadership

Jesus Washing Feet by Simon Dewey 

Christ’s leadership example is always and ever about serving the underserved. 

I’m not a theologian nor a pastor. What follows is just my perspective on what Faith-centered leadership should look like in our secular world. As Christians we should know that Jesus Himself, as always, is our example of how to live out all aspects of our Christ-centered Faith. 

Jesus himself was a leader and called his apostles and disciples to be leaders – Christ modeled leadership and challenged His Apostles and indeed all His disciples (i.e. ALL Christians) to strive to live out his example of leadership – that example is to lead with a sacrificial heart and to serve the needs of those most in need, to raise up the marginalized, to treat the lowliest equal to everyone else. He didn’t come into the world to bring down the wealthy and privileged; but, my understanding when I read the Scripture is that He did come into the world to raise up the underserved and all people, regardless of the superficial status we humans accord each other. Christ is our leadership example of that in every word and deed recorded of Him, from him telling Peter and us in John 21 to “Feed my sheep” to His own humbling example of washing the Apostles feet in John 13, and more. Christ’s leadership example is always and ever about serving the underserved. 

Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow Me, Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 

Matthew 20:25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. 

John 13:12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. 

John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” 

James 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.

There are many other passages teaching leadership in both the Old and New Testaments; I find the most meaning in the above Scriptures. What these passages mean to me are basic guides, listed below, for how to live out a life of Christ-centered leadership. And, again, Christ’s leadership example is always and ever about serving the underserved. 

Christ led with a focus on those most in need – the underserved in our societies. He never valued a rich man over a poor man. He didn’t spend His ministry raising the privileged even higher – He spent his ministry raising up the down trodden. 

Christ led with a sacrificial heart of service focused on those most in need, and He sent others out to share His example of leadership, raising others to their best potential. 

Christ showed us that we must understand those we want to help and be understood by them. He talked to the people in need and He heard them, healed them, filled them with hope. As leaders, we have to begin by listening and understanding in tolerance and compassion for all, to recognize and serve the needs of others without judgment. 

Jesus taught us by His every Word and by the example of His every deed how to live out a life of leadership through service to those most in need. And, He taught us that we all stand equal before God. 

Moreover, Christ shows us that our notions of serving status (i.e., the interests of the wealth, privilege, and of corporations – an entirely humanistic leadership viewpoint) are counterproductive to Christ-centered leadership and His commands that we love one another and care for those in need. 

His example also taught us to work together, even as He sent His disciples out into the world in teams to work together. Even the blessing of the Holy Spirit is an assurance that we are not alone in whatever mission God has for our lives, that we will always have a partner working together with us when we work for God’s will. 

Christ’s message is always of hope for all people equally. His example of leadership is always and ever about serving the underserved. His hope isn’t reserved for the privileged or the powerful. 

Jesus’ message is of hope for all people everywhere – to me, that is a Christ-given directive found in His message and in His example of DIVINE EQUALITY. That is Christ’s shared inspiration for Faith-centered leadership. 




Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. 

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Deuteronomy 10:16-20 – Justice & Equality for the Underserved

NRSV Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, 18 who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. 19 You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear.

I understand this passage of Scripture as telling us to demand justice for the underserved; to love the stranger (in the NIV translated as “foreigner”) which can only be interpreted as neighbors and immigrants; and to provide help to those underserved members of our society and to strangers, to fight for their equity of opportunity to gain those abilities to provide for their own success in our world. 

"May the meditations of our hearts

be acceptable in Thy sight,

Oh Lord, our strength and our redeemer.”

~In Jesus’ Holy name

We pray all believing,

Amen

NRSV James 1:12-18 – Personal Responsibility

NRSV James 1:12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. 14 But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it; 15 then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved. 17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

This is what – to me – the entire passage tells us: Our own temptation and the responsibility for resisting wrong and doing good lies entirely with our own choices. We are admonished not to let ourselves be led to wrong by anyone, but especially not by our own selves. And we are reminded that God loves us and that the fulfillment of His purpose is to be in right relationship with Him. To me, the entirety of The Book of James is about responsibility for ourselves and living out our Faith in the full self-determination to live out a Christ-centered Faith.

"May the meditations of our hearts

be acceptable in Thy sight,

Oh Lord, our strength and our redeemer.”

~In Jesus’ Holy name

We pray all believing,

Amen

Call to action for the Progressive Christian Left

It’s time – and past time – for the Progressive Christian Left to stand up and be heard. Compassionate people of all faiths must make ourselves heard. But, Christ-centered Christians must make it our mission to challenge the voices of extremism in our Faith. We cannot sit idly back and let someone like “Judge” Pirro (of FOXNews) who justifies Putin by claiming “At least Putin’s Christian” and seems outraged that the rest of us just don’t get that – in the self-same moments that Putin is helping Assad butcher the children of Aleppo.

Such voices must not be put forward as a speaking for our Faith. It’s obscene and it is our own personal failing for allowing ourselves to be silenced rather than to be impolite.

It’s NOT impolite to challenge lies
It’s NOT impolite to challenge bigotry
It’s NOT impolite to challenge hate speech
It’s NOT impolite to challenge ignorance
It’s NOT impolite to argue with someone who is perverting our defining moral, cultural, social, national, and/or faith ideals to impose the oppression and degradation of everything and everyone “other.”

Consider for a moment… Who it is who always told us it was impolite (rude) to challenge or argue with them? Who told us to just bite our tongues and let them “run off at the mouth?” Who told us to turn a blind eye? Who told us that it was “lording it over people” to “show off” your education? Who demonizes the “intellectual elite?” The people telling us to hush are the people who don’t want to be challenged, who don’t want their lies, bigotry, hate speech, and ignorance exposed. The people demonizing the “intellectual elite” don’t want people educated because education shines a glaring light upon the ignorance they’re perpetuating. The people telling us to hush are the people we should be challenging. 

WHO’S WITH ME? Find their posts. Take progressive faith messages to the political leaders. Don’t let the extremist right be the only voices of faith the political leaders hear.

Like the song says:
"And all the words I didn’t say
like wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight!
Can you hear my voice this time?”

It may seem like hyperbole to some, however: I won’t be silenced any longer. I won’t idly watch those extremists pervert my Faith to protect their white ChristianISH privilege. I will speak out. I will use all my talents – writing, visual arts, singing, activism – to resist their perfidy. I will be heard. I will be the resistance alone if I must be.

This passage, speaks to me of a striking similarity in our current turmoil:
John 16:1 “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, 5 but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Scripture lessons teaching us how to be more kind:
Matthew 4:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children 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. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 7:3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.… 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

John 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself… 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry… 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen…. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Philippians 2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry… 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” 

Prayer for leaders and @HillaryClinton

From FB “Methodists For Hillary

This prayer was crafted from Hillary Clinton’s own words when she was asked for whom and what she prays.

Merciful God of grace and solace, 
source of all hope and wisdom,
we humbly come to You in prayer
for our nation, our people, and our leaders.
We ask Your guidance and patience
as we seek to serve Your lambs 
and in everything to honor Your will.

We pray for those whose names You know,
for people experiencing difficult times,
illness, divorce, death, disappointment,
all of the tough life experiences confronting us.
We pray for the Your will to be known…
that we can, to the best of our ability,
try to follow it and fulfill it, in Your name.
We pray for people in authority.
Help us to consider what they go through,
even when we disagree with them.
Help us find some common ground,
some common understanding
that can make us more empathetic.
We know we won't always succeed,
but let us never fail to try.

Hold Hillary’s heart always
in prayer throughout the day,
because she needs Your strength
and she needs Your support.
Thank you for giving her ears to listen
and a heart and mind to serve
the needs of the people, Your lambs,
to be a leader guided by Your will
in our country and the world.
Protect Hillary from danger
both physical and existential
Help her keep Your will in humility
and empower her to serve Your will
in gratitude and perseverance
All the days of her life.

In Christ’s name, Amen.

Prayer for Our Leaders and Hillary and for Us All

Heavenly Father, God of grace and mercy,

By the great gift of Salvation and His resurrection 

You offer the gifts of eternal hope and peace
Through Your only begotten son, Christ Jesus.
Baptized by water, we are born anew… 

Born into Your heavenly kingdom.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, we are never alone.

In the Spirit, together we strive to do Your will.

Hold us, our nation, and Hillary in Your hands.

Make us the body and voice of Your will.

Together in the Spirit, we open our hearts.

We lay bear our souls before You, Father.

As one in the Spirit, we open our minds.

Together we are Christ’s hands in this world.

United in the Spirit, our doors are open.

In Your will we work together for peace.

As one voice we desire your will be done.

Together in the Holy Spirit and in unity

We know Your strength makes us 

Stronger together for a more just world.

Help us, Lord, to feed the hungry.

Teach us, Father, to care for the sick.

Guide us, God, to shelter the homeless.

Use us, El-Shaddai, to love everyone.

Humble us, Adoni, to find Your wisdom.

Grant us, Yaweh, solace in our tribulation.

Make us, Elohim, obedient in service.

Lead us, Sar Shalom, to be peacemakers.

King of Kings, grant wisdom to our leaders

With sacrificial hearts of service and compassion.

We ask for open eyes for our leaders 

to see all humankind as Your sheep.

We pray for leaders with open hearts

to understand the cares of Your lambs. 

We plead that our leaders have open minds

of love and compassion for all Your sheep.

We thank you for Hillary Clinton, and pray

You will protect and perfect her in Your will.

In Christ’s name, with Faith all believing and

in humble gratitude, we pray. Amen.

“Faith-Centered Leadership”