Day 237: For the Health of our Nation

 

DAY 237

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

pastorrobert@paxpres.org

Week Thirty-four    Friday 6 November 2020

For the Health of our Nation

Calling All Christians for the Health of our Nation

“Two highly respected organizations, World Relief and the National Association of Evangelicals have released a statement inviting all followers of Jesus – whether Democrats or Republicans or Independents to join them in championing a Biblically-balanced public agenda and in seeking the health of the nation for the good of all people. Christians will not always agree on the specifics of governance or the best roads to reform. However, we do hold many callings and commitments in common, including:

• Protecting Religious Freedom and Liberty of Conscience
• Safeguarding the Nature and Sanctity of Human Life
• Strengthening Marriages, Families and Children
• Seeking Justice and Compassion for the Poor and Vulnerable
• Preserving Human Rights
• Pursuing Racial Justice and Reconciliation
• Promoting Just Peace and Restraining Violence
• Caring for God’s Creation

These issues provide a platform from which Christians can engage in common action. As Christians, our involvement should model the servant call of our faith and the care and concern for the other. In doing so, we may find our political efforts not only strengthen the social fabric of our nation but also rebuild the plausibility of the Christian faith in the minds and hearts of our fellow citizens.” - A current online post of the two organizations involved.

You can read and/or download this powerful, thoughtful 29 page manifesto at: nae.net.

Reflective question: Will you ask the Holy Spirit to free your heart from partisan politics and fill

it with the things that are central to the heart of God for all human beings and then pray?

Reflective Scripture: Exodus 32:26 – KJV - “’Who is on the Lord’s side?’”   

Reflective hymn:

“Who is On The Lord’s Side?” – verse 4 - John Goss (1800-1880)

Chosen to be soldiers, in an alien land,

Chosen, called, and faithful, for our Captain’s band;

In the service royal, let us not grow cold;

Let us be right loyal, noble, true and bold.

Master, Thou wilt keep us, by Thy grace divine,

Always on the Lord’s side – Savior, always Thine.