LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Archives For November 30, 1999
GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
So while re-reading The Screwtape Letters in preparation for a fast-approaching book club, I came across this brilliant insight about a Christian during times of dryness, times of despair:
“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending to do [God’s] will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.”
https://aleteia.org/blogs/catholic-thinking/on-obedience-and-the-screwtape-letters/
O GOD, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man’s understanding: Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.
O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may by thy mighty aid be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O GOD, the strength of all them that put their trust in thee, mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping of thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
You are loved. The violent and deadly crimes you perpetrate are abhorrent and detestable, but YOU are loved.
You are loved by God, your Creator, for He created you in His Image and according to His Likeness, and placed you on this earth for much greater things, according to His plan for all humankind. You are loved by me and millions like me, not because of what you do, but what you are capable of as that wonderful creation of God, Who has created us with a shared humanity. You are loved by me and millions like me because I, and we, believe in transformation.
People who tend to lean more Republican/Conservative more often than not put more focus on the more dogmatic aspects of Christianity. The dogmatic aspects of Christianity are important because they preserve the structure. People who tend to lean more Liberal/Democratic more often than not put more focus on the more spiritual side of Christianity. The spiritual aspects of Christianity are important because they update the structure. Both are important and play their role.
One aspect of the Republican platform, which by the way I’m not advocating, that does I feel speak to Christian values is the concept of personal responsibility. In the end you will need to give an account to God and nobody will be able to vouch for you on your behalf. Ultimate responsibility for your Christ-like walk and faith lies with you. What you will find by studying the political platforms is that both sides have aspects that are biblical and other aspects where they are not. That’s why there really is no correct answer as to which political side a Christian ought to advocate for and why politics can divide the church.
Acerbity [əˈsɜːbɪtɪ] 