Prayer at Kansas House of Representatives

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oldnslo · #1 Unread post by **oldnslo** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:58 am

Quote--
Some people get upset when politics intrude into religion; others are irritated when religion intrudes into politics. As in war, the "intruder" is always the guy on the other side.

The following excerpt was contained in the opening prayer at the Kansas House of Representatives by the Rev. Joe Wright, senior pastor of the Central Christian Church in Witchita.

Heavenly father, we come to you to ask your forgiveness. We seek your direction and your guidance. We know your word says, "Woe to those who call evil good." But that's what we've done.
We've lost our spiritual equilibrium. We have inverted our values. We have ridiculed the absolute truth in your word in the name of moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.

We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.

We've exploited the poor and called it a lottery. We've neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. In the name of choice, we have killed our unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed abortionists.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it taxes. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, oh, God, and know our hearts today. Try us. Show us any wickedness within us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been ordained by you to govern this great state.

It was reported that some members walked out of the chambers in disgust, but generally, the prayer was applauded for the truths contained in it.

We have some nasty stuff to clean up in this world we try to live in. It becomes more difficult daily, as we move deeper into the swamp.

ronboskz650sr · Mon Mar 21, 2005 9:25 am

Amen, John. Good post.

TechTMW · #3 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 9:02 pm

With prayers like that, it won't be long until preachers are kicked out of lawmakers chambers and with them the prayer....

Whether it's right or wrong, it's bound to 'offend' someone.

And as we know, the injured party is the ultimate god in our society.

Besides, who are we kidding... we idolize our motorcycles ...
which would you rather do on a nice sunny day - Go to church or ride?

Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:43 am

Great post John, thanks for sharing!

I always look foward to reading your posts.

Mike.

scan · #5 Unread post by **scan** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:48 am

TechBMW wrote:Which would you rather do on a nice sunny day - Go to church or ride?

Or in my case the motorcycle is my church. I thank God and take commune with the world from the saddle of my fossil fuel eater.

mikepel · #6 Unread post by **mikepel** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:14 pm

When I founf this site a few weeks ago, last thing I expedted to find here was a post like this prayer. But Isn't it the truth, we excuse everything, call it something else to justify our greeds, lust, wants, lack of concern for the those around us in need. And here I was, feeling sorry for myself because the 4' of snow outside is not ever going to melt.
Thanks for the post. Its just what I needed to make realize that the snow will melt then I'll climb on my bike and for awhile will forget about what a mess we have made of this worldand leave it my dust for awhile.

oldnslo · #7 Unread post by **oldnslo** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:58 pm

If nothing else we are an eclectic bunch.

Toyuzu · #8 Unread post by **Toyuzu** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:31 pm

Thanks for that, John. I've seen that prayer before. It's saddening to see the direction our world is heading. One at a time, things which used to be appalling, things which hurt people and destroy families and governments are becoming accepted in the name of tolerance and enlightenment.

At least I still have the freedom to determine what is and is not acceptable in my home, and for my family. The day someone tries to take that freedom away from me is the day I go to war.

jjhotrods · #9 Unread post by **jjhotrods** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:29 am

Bravo true words never spoken. If only people would really listen to the message. But hey then I'd be an unelightend, caveman who wants woman in shackles. Go figure

ronboskz650sr · Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:26 am

TechBMW wrote: Besides, who are we kidding... we idolize our motorcycles ...
which would you rather do on a nice sunny day - Go to church or ride?

I usually ride to church (sunny or not), and usually I forget that while I'm in church. It's only when people make plans to meet somewhere that I remember I'm riding separate from my wife. You see, I ride over at 7:30 to practice in the band before Sunday school. God takes over when I get there. God also takes over whenever I ride on a country road.

To me, it's just my favorite way to travel, except when I'm on a pleasure ride. Right now my bike is covered with dirt from last Sunday's spur-of -the-moment ride with a friend from church. Because it's no idol to me, dirt roads see me alot! And the wash has to wait until it fits in the schedule. On Sunday, there's rarely time for that.

I like the tone of the prayer, because it puts the responsibility where it is. God is watching, and some behaviours make him very happy...others make him justifiably angry, and he will decide the final course of action he will take as a result. I like to pray a similar prayer about myself, silently...we all need some forgiveness...we just need to ask.

Yes we are eclectic.