Jordan Paul

Friends,

In today’s reading from Acts, we hear more of St. Paul’s journey and preaching, this time in Antioch. He clearly and succinctly presents his case for Christianity. Throughout his journeys, St. Paul fearlessly preaches the Gospel to all he meets, just as we are called to do. Just as St. Paul adapts his message to all he meets without compromising his core commitments, so should we.

Although I feel as if the mainline often strays from talk of patriotism and positivity about our country, I think Fr. Robert’s Sunday sermon about Christian Nationalism shows a different way. We can appeal to patriotism and love of our home country while still acknowledging that, in the end, our subjection to Christ may call us to dissent against political orthodoxy. To that end, I’ll leave you with prayers from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:

For the Armed Forces

Almighty God, the strong tower and refuge of thy people: We entreat thy favour upon the officers and all who are enlisted in the service of defence of our country, upon land, and on the water, and in the air. Ever spare them from being ordered into a war of conquest or ambition. Use them, if need be, as thine instruments, in the defence of our national life and liberty. But restrain, we beseech thee, the greed and wrath of man, that wars may cease in all the earth. Deepen in the hearts of our defenders the spirit of peace, and may they ever love and serve the Prince of Peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

For the Reign of Christ 

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in thy well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that all the peoples of the earth, though now divided and in bondage to sin, may be made free and brought together under his most gracious rule, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Prayer for All Those in Civil Authority

Almighty Father, whose kingdom is everlasting: We beseech thee of thy mercy to direct and prosper the counsels of all those who bear authority in this land, that in humility and honesty they may faithfully serve the people committed to their charge. And grant, we pray thee, that religion and piety, peace and unity, truth and justice may be established among us for all generations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Christ,

—Jordan