Reflection
It has been disheartening to watch the news these days and see the anger and violence being stirred up in people. The process of public discourse has been misused. What is most depressing is that when one listens to what is upsetting people and then takes the time to read and discover the facts there is obvious distortion. Concern for the the common good does not seem to be an issue. Compare the present political rhetoric to this prayer for America attributed to George Washington:
“Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Prayer
Lord, protect and guide your people.
Action
Take time today to pray for our country. Educate yourself to facts not fictions.
Suggested Readings
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give for his soul?
Matthew 16:25
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every nation divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
Matthew 12:25
If you want peace work for justice.
Pope Paul VI
A house divided against itself cannot stand.… I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided.
Abraham Lincoln
Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
John Adams
The great pillars of all government and of social life are virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.
Patrick Henry