Hi, Mary Katherine. I found you because a friend shared this post on IG. I'm older than you, but I suspect we grew up similarly. I attended one of the early churches/schools in the Moral Majority. I practice a very different Christianity than what I was taught. I expect you can relate.
Yes, faith without works is dead. But for so many Christians on the far-right, "thoughts and prayers" means something more insidious. I'll give a couple of examples before I elaborate.
My husband is agnostic. Every time my parents talk to him, they say, "We're praying for you." They aren't praying for his safety, health, prosperity or happiness. They're praying for him to accept Jesus. They then vote for 45 twice, say unspeakable things about marginalized communities, and cannot understand why my husband wants nothing to do with their Jesus. I want nothing to do with that Jesus, either.
I have a chronic illness that's caused me to lose partial vision. When my parents tell me they're praying for me, they are praying for me to "get my heart right with God" because "your illness is God's judgment for falling away from the Lord." They aren't praying for a miracle. They don't care if I'm healed. They vote for me to lose my health insurance and blithely say if that happens, "We'll just have to pray."
Far-right Christians, in many cases, offer prayers as judgments. They don't help because they believe people deserve to suffer for their sin. Every time a politician says "thoughts and prayers" or "we need more prayer," I hear "if you'd just reject sin and accept Jesus, he could make these things better. But you keep rejecting him. So suffer while I pray and do nothing to help."
It has been a long, long time since many Christians have meditated on the red words in their Bibles. I am appalled and incensed at how far-right Christians portray Jesus, because you're right. He would ease suffering. He would shelter the homeless. He would feed the hungry. He would heal wherever he could. He never met someone and said, "I'm praying for you," only to show them his back.
Solidarity, my dear. I wish I could sit down with you for a long talk.
Ugh, I hate how much your comment resonates. First of all, I am so sorry that you suffer from chronic illness. I hope with all my heart that a cure is found and you are able to heal. Regarding your parents, I have family like that. It is so hurtful. Over the years, it became impossible for me to reconcile the Jesus of the a Bible with the cruelty of their inaction and judgement. Ironic how their prayers for my salvation resulted in my deconstruction. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. ❤️
Such an important read. Thank you for sharing. This also makes me think of the St. Francis quote of “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” Through our actions we are preaching the gospel. Inaction is not being a disciple of Christ. However, actions may look different for each person. But we must do what we can with what we have. Here's to results!
LOVE THIS DEAR HEART....................ABSURD GENEROSITY............OH YES WE CAN PRAY FOR THEM ALSO
Today I am looking at Luke’s gospel chapter 6: 27-38………..WOW!! If you enjoy cooking like I do then you know how to measure brown sugar right? YOU PACK IT!! Luke quotes Jesus, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you….lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High…….Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful………Do not judge…..Do not condemn…..Forgive”…..now here is the promise……vs 38..…”Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, PRESSED DOWN!!!!shaken together and running over!”.........that’s how our God Blesses!!! Full Measure!!
The Kingdom that Jesus preached and lived was all about a glorious, uproarious, absurd generosity. Think of the best thing you can do for the worst person, and go ahead and do it. think of what you'd really like someone to do for you, and do it for them. Think of people to whom you are tempted to be nasty, and lavish generosity on them instead. These instructions have a fresh spring like quality. They are about new life bursting out energetically, like flowers growing through concrete and startling everyone with their color and vigor. My Mom taught me that we are not called to give till it hurts but till it's gone. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
EXCELLENT READ! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Mary Katherine. I found you because a friend shared this post on IG. I'm older than you, but I suspect we grew up similarly. I attended one of the early churches/schools in the Moral Majority. I practice a very different Christianity than what I was taught. I expect you can relate.
Yes, faith without works is dead. But for so many Christians on the far-right, "thoughts and prayers" means something more insidious. I'll give a couple of examples before I elaborate.
My husband is agnostic. Every time my parents talk to him, they say, "We're praying for you." They aren't praying for his safety, health, prosperity or happiness. They're praying for him to accept Jesus. They then vote for 45 twice, say unspeakable things about marginalized communities, and cannot understand why my husband wants nothing to do with their Jesus. I want nothing to do with that Jesus, either.
I have a chronic illness that's caused me to lose partial vision. When my parents tell me they're praying for me, they are praying for me to "get my heart right with God" because "your illness is God's judgment for falling away from the Lord." They aren't praying for a miracle. They don't care if I'm healed. They vote for me to lose my health insurance and blithely say if that happens, "We'll just have to pray."
Far-right Christians, in many cases, offer prayers as judgments. They don't help because they believe people deserve to suffer for their sin. Every time a politician says "thoughts and prayers" or "we need more prayer," I hear "if you'd just reject sin and accept Jesus, he could make these things better. But you keep rejecting him. So suffer while I pray and do nothing to help."
It has been a long, long time since many Christians have meditated on the red words in their Bibles. I am appalled and incensed at how far-right Christians portray Jesus, because you're right. He would ease suffering. He would shelter the homeless. He would feed the hungry. He would heal wherever he could. He never met someone and said, "I'm praying for you," only to show them his back.
Solidarity, my dear. I wish I could sit down with you for a long talk.
Ugh, I hate how much your comment resonates. First of all, I am so sorry that you suffer from chronic illness. I hope with all my heart that a cure is found and you are able to heal. Regarding your parents, I have family like that. It is so hurtful. Over the years, it became impossible for me to reconcile the Jesus of the a Bible with the cruelty of their inaction and judgement. Ironic how their prayers for my salvation resulted in my deconstruction. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. ❤️
Such an important read. Thank you for sharing. This also makes me think of the St. Francis quote of “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” Through our actions we are preaching the gospel. Inaction is not being a disciple of Christ. However, actions may look different for each person. But we must do what we can with what we have. Here's to results!
LOVE THIS DEAR HEART....................ABSURD GENEROSITY............OH YES WE CAN PRAY FOR THEM ALSO
Today I am looking at Luke’s gospel chapter 6: 27-38………..WOW!! If you enjoy cooking like I do then you know how to measure brown sugar right? YOU PACK IT!! Luke quotes Jesus, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you….lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High…….Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful………Do not judge…..Do not condemn…..Forgive”…..now here is the promise……vs 38..…”Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, PRESSED DOWN!!!!shaken together and running over!”.........that’s how our God Blesses!!! Full Measure!!
The Kingdom that Jesus preached and lived was all about a glorious, uproarious, absurd generosity. Think of the best thing you can do for the worst person, and go ahead and do it. think of what you'd really like someone to do for you, and do it for them. Think of people to whom you are tempted to be nasty, and lavish generosity on them instead. These instructions have a fresh spring like quality. They are about new life bursting out energetically, like flowers growing through concrete and startling everyone with their color and vigor. My Mom taught me that we are not called to give till it hurts but till it's gone. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Mk, this is wonderful! I subscribed because of this. Love you!♥️✨️
I am so grateful for your support. Thank you 🙏🏻