The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 The Message
When I was young the "prayers of intercession,", what we usually call the " prayers of the people" now, seemed long and tedious. My brother and I would sit in the balcony and blow paint flakes pulled from the stairwell wall onto the hats of the women below while most eyes were closed-- until our minister father caught us in the act. The outcome wasn't pretty.
I do remember, though, that most Sundays those prayers would include the well-being of the nation, and leaders, including the Prime Minister. During my Queen's University days I attended my father-in-law's church and he was diligent in praying for Queen Elizabeth. That was in a day when Canadians still sang "God Save the Queen" on occasion, a prayer set to music, and sometimes we sang it within our worship services.
As you can see above, this practice was grounded in scripture. It is a reminder that Christians live in two realms, under the reign of Christ, and within the temporal systems and governments of the given moment. We are in peril when we assume allegiance to a government or leader is devotion to God -- look at the mess in the United States -- yet we understand that empires and rulers influence the world in which we live. Jesus, the Palestinian peasant, was put to death by the Romans, yet the apostle Paul's Roman citizenship allowed him to travel extensively to share the Good News of Jesus, the Risen Christ.
Today Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, will have virtual meeting with Joe Biden, the recently elected President of the United States. The response of these leaders of neighbouring countries which share so much to issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, and human rights, are vital.
Both Biden and Trudeau have Christian backgrounds (both Roman Catholics) and we can hope that their faith, and prayer, help provide a moral compass. Regardless of their faith, we can pray that they act with wisdom and with a desire for justice.
It sounds as though the Queen could use a prayer boost these days as well. Can I hear you humming?
Since our elected officials have more influence over what our lives are like every day, my prayers go in support of them. I wish no harm to the Queen, of course, but the Royals are not really necessary, are they? The money it costs to support them could be used to help the people of each country so much !
ReplyDeleteIt appeared that the virtual meeting between Biden and Trudeau went well, and nothing outrageous was said and no unexpected tariffs were announced, which is something that would have happened if you know who was still President.
ReplyDeleteI hope the next four years can focus on putting COVID behind us and focus on climate change. I'm so glad that is one of Biden's biggest platforms.
Meanwhile, perhaps we can say a prayer for my Montreal Canadiens. They need all the help they can get these days.