Sword of Peace

Today while watching the inauguration, I kept hearing about the connections between Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When it was said that MLK is in heaven looking down and celebrating, I was almost sick to my stomach.

This is not the Dr. King that I know. Not the one I’ve read about. the MLK I know was a radical, who constantly challenged the government’s stance on peace. His commitment to non-violence is not the same as Obama’s plan to send tens of thousands of more troops over to Afghanistan. 

King would also not have been happy with Obama’s conservative cabinet choices. Obama has chosen some people to represent the United States who seem closer to fascists than democrats.

King was pretty close with Lyndon B. Johnson, however he thought the war in Vietnam was a disgraceful waste of resources. I think that Dr. King would have been happy to see an African American in the whitehouse, however; I think he would be more happy to see a us rise up to the challenge on making sure the president is hearing the cries of the oppressed. Obama is in office, let’s push him, let’s challenge him. That is what we are to do as citizens who care.

That’s what Dr. King would have wanted us to do.

The biggest connection I see between MLK and Obama is their skin color. Let’s keep things in perspective.

I believe something I do not do enough is pray for the leaders of the United States. I don’t like to put my faith in somebody with a position of authority, which leads me to pray that people will rise up against the injustices of the world and create a new world alongside Jesus.

Am I missing something? I know that true change only comes from God and not Barack Obama, but shouldn’t I pray that God will guide him to bring the better world that he promises? I think the answer is yes. We should pray for leaders. We should pray for people in power. God works through people, and even if God can’t save us through America, he can certainly do some good through the president of the United States. 

I dedicate this prayer to the inauguration of President Barack Obama:

Dear God,

I pray that Barack Obama will work hard to bring the change in which he promises for this country.

I pray that he will not give into the temptation of those with power and influence, who’s interest is not compassion, love, justice; but is that of greed, power, and lies.

I pray that he will end the war in Iraq as promised. I pray that he pulls out the troops immediately. I would hate to see anymore  of the bloodshed of God’s children.

I pray that Obama rethinks his plan of sending more troops into Afghanistan. The Prince of Peace calls us to a new way, which rejects violence as well as apathy.

I pray that Obama speaks out against the injustices that are perpetuated by the Israeli government. At this point over 850 have died from the attacks. Palestine is struggling to keep their identity.

I pray that Obama not only lift up the middle class (which seems to be his primary focus), but that he will lift up the poor. That he will put an end to homelessness. That he will make sure there is food on every table.

I pray that Obama will make sure everyone in the country can afford healthcare. Healthcare should not just be supplied to those who can afford it. In a nation that’s as wealthy as the United States, everyone deserves to be covered.

I pray that Obama will recognize the injustices of the prison systems. The prison industrial complex has become a money making enterprise. I pray that he puts an end to prison labor in which corporations profit from workers as they only have to pay them 19 cents an hour.

I pray that instead of Obama trying to fix the financial crisis by piling money into a greedy system that is destined to failure, that he encourages us to reduce our spending, own less property, share with each other and invest in alternative forms of transportation and energy.

I pray that Obama does not forget about the people. We have the power to make change. I pray that he continues to encourage us to be the change.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen.

I’ve been reading a lot about the recent Gaza/Israeli conflict. I’m disgusted by the fact that the Israeli government has already killed 300 people and claims “This is just the beginning”.

I have read a lot by Noam Chomsky, who is known for his critique on the state of Israel. I think it’s ridiculous that if you do not back the state of Israel’s militarism, you are labeled as Anti-Semitic.

Under the new covenant, God doesn’t sanction violence. He sent Jesus to show us a new way, but even before the time of Jesus, the prophets warned the Israelites that war is not what God has in mind. 

And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war

-Isaiah 2-4

We long for the day when peace will reign. 

Amen.