Shadows of a Quill

Pastor Joel recently went to give the benediction at the Democratic Convention

I would like to say that Joel received many opposing views about his acceptance of this offer.  In a church service that I attended Joel said that he is going because they asked him to come pray.  He is not endorsing the democratic party, he is going to pray for them.  Jesus prayed for sinners and saints alike, and I am so proud that Joel decided to follow His example, instead of being bullied out of his decision.

Below is a transcript of the benediction, which obviously still upholds Joel’s moral beliefs.

We are all here to devote ourselves to the improvement of this country we love. In one of the best traditions of our country, would those of you who are people of faith join me in asking for God’s help?

Almighty God, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us a reverence for all life. Give us a compassion for the most vulnerable among us. The babies. The children. The poor. The sick. The enslaved. The persecuted. For all of those who have been left out of the advantaged world.

Give us a zeal to clean the environment we have polluted while we create an economy where everyone who can work can have a job. Help us to honor those who defend our country by working harder and smarter for peace. Help us to counter those that incite fear and hatred by becoming people who are informed and respectful and are known for the principles and projects that aim higher than merely our own group’s benefit.

Guide Barack Obama and all of our leaders to be agents of your will and recipients of your wisdom. And grant that all of us citizens will continually do our part to contribute to the common good so that we can truly love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Now I interrupt this prayer for a closing instruction. I want to personalize this. I want this to be a participatory prayer. And so therefore, because we are in a country that is still welcoming all faiths, I would like all of us to close this prayer in the way your faith tradition would close your prayer.

So on the count of three, I want all of you to end this prayer, your prayer, the way you usually end prayer. You ready? One, two, three.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When I heard Joel’s benediction my heart filled with pride for his accomplishment of showing the love of God, despite the ’status’ of those who invited him, or those who would be listening.