I worked this morning and missed the inauguration of President Biden, but this evening, I had the opportunity to watch the entire replay. I am not going to talk about parties and divisions, but I want to say that I was heartened by the pastoral prayers, the scriptures quoted, and the singing of Amazing Grace and a quote from another hymn. I was impressed with the poem by Amanda Gorman, America’s first National Youth Poet Laureate, asking us to “leave behind a country better than we were.”
So much was said about a desire for unity during the events today, and I hope we can see people coming together from both sides and healing the wounds that have been inflicted by both sides. May we see extremism on the left and on the right slink back into anonymity. Let there be a revival of truth and civility and godliness and may Democracy flourish and grow.
I want to thank those of you who agreed to pray with me for the safety of the politicians, the police, the National Guard, and the average citizens of Washington DC through today and beyond. Praise God for answered prayers! Praise God that state capitol protests planned for today fizzled due to multitudes of guards and the quick arrests of the people who stormed the national Capitol, but even more, due to prayer and the grace of God.
Four years ago on election night, I made a plea for us all to get along together even though I was disappointed that my candidate didn’t win. (You can look it up in my past blogs from November 2016.) I am making the same plea today. I know that Trump supporters out there are disappointed at the results this year, but I offer my hand in friendship. To those of you who are believers, I suggest we remember where our true citizenship lies and Whom we serve above all others. As Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s!”
We prayed, God answered. Thank you Lord! Our prayers don’t stop there. We pray for continued peace and the unification of the American people. Sadly politics and yes even “religion” are states of the human condition as they are man’s attempt to self govern without God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, ” If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their sin, then I will hear from heaven and heal their land”. This gives us a clear instruction how to continue to pray.
Yes! Thank you for that suggestion, Gene. I was repenting for the country and the church and for my own sins when I was praying for God’s protection in Washington DC.