Prayers and Thoughts…

Republicans have found a weapon to deflect attention from their inaction and unwillingness to address or legislate important issues that are harmful to the American people. 

On the surface the Republicans weapon SEEMS benevolent, spiritual, and demonstrates care for citizens. Yet, Fannie Lou Hamer exposes Republicans flaccid exclamations of “You’re in our prayers and thoughts!”, when she  said: 

“You can pray until you faint, but if you don't get up and try to do something, 

God is not going to put it in your lap".

Think about it, Republicans have opportunities to provide legislation to address gun violence, climate change, reproductive rights, teacher pay inequality, infant mortality, access to healthcare, etc. However, in every instance of tragedy or avoidable circumstances, the Republicans constant refrain is: 

“You’re in our prayers and thoughts!”

Unfortunately, the American people are falling for the Republicans chicanery. As a pastor, one of my responsibilities and spiritual disciplines includes prayer, praying for people and circumstances.  However ALL citizens must recognize the elected officials JOB is to legislate and establish policies to alleviate pain, provide resources, protection, and create opportunities for ALL people and industries. 

Prayer might be in a Republicans personal practice but it is DEFINITELY NOT in their job description nor a requirement in the Constitution(s) which they have sworn to uphold. Republicans have masterfully manipulated the Christian faith with such “surgical precision” that white Christian nationalists have their followers believing Christianity, the Constitution (U.S. and states), and ALL Americans must conform to their Republican-Maga vision of America. 

Moreover, with a Constantinian fervor, Republicans are imploding democratic principles such as equality, the rule of law, human rights, the right to vote, freedom of speech, and the separation of powers, on which this country was founded.

 
The FIRST AMENDMENT clearly intended to circumvent the marrying of Church and State through the Establishment Clause which aims to “prevent the government from establishing or favoring any particular religion”.  

But, the Republicans continue to peddle America as a Christian nation. To the well meaning and conscientious people and voters, we mustn’t allow the trickery of Republican politicians to conflate their vision of America and Christianity. 

In the Bible which the Republicans claim as their guide, Jesus confronts the priests-politicians of his day who adopted and instituted unjust political taxation practices in the Temple. Jesus DENOUNCES  priests-politicians and their practices then removes them from the Temple stating: “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 

Like Jesus, people of goodwill mustn’t be hoodwinked by Republicans conjuring religious zeal, invoking “prayers and thoughts” to deflect from their refusal to be serious about legislation; 

which when properly conducted could be the answer to prayers.

 
Republican politicians instead of negligently insisting on the necessity for prayer in government led forums MUST commit to the solemn passing of laws. Laws that answer the prayers of:

• families without healthcare  whose children suffer from chronic illness 
• teachers whose salaries are below the cost of living 
• people in the workforce who need a livable wage
• non-white people seeking equitable access and treatment in a racially unjust system
• our veterans who lack access to benefits and need mental health care 
• undocumented immigrants striving to follow the law and are seeking opportunities for citizenship 
• women for their reproductive rights, economic equality, and protection from violence 
• and so much more 

I concur with my friend, Cabarrus County School Board member, Pam Escobar, who shared this response to elected officials emphasizing prayer in government led spaces, “…and frankly we’re not in the business of faith or religion that’s not what we do…”

Republicans your job IS NOT proselytizing! You are to utilize your position to represent your constituents and address the needs of and improve the conditions for ALL of your constituents and communities. 

Elected Republicans, in a real sense you could be a vehicle 

and means of answering prayers. 

To we the constituents, don’t allow the Republicans “form of godliness” to distract you from their lack of policies and agendas that could answer your prayers. And if the Republicans continually choose to only proffer prayers; instead of, providing prayer answering legislation, let us follow the lead character in “their Book” by DENOUNCING Republicans and using our power to VOTE them out of office. 

Prayers and thoughts DOES NOT absolve one from their responsibilities, praying is not the job of elected officials, legislation is their job.

Republicans, “You can pray until you faint, but if you don't get up 

and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap."

Guided By Love,

Pastor Marcus