In similar fashion, loyalists to Donald Trump and his divisive and disruptive brand of politics embraced his call to action – to “march to the Capitol and … take back our country.” And march they did, to the drumbeat of the president’s claim of massive election fraud. Loyally, defiantly, angrily, violently they marched, draped in flags emblazoned with Trump’s image.
Decades from now we’ll be telling friends where we were in 2021 when our Capitol was under attack.
I have no idea what will happen between now and Joe Biden’s inauguration, but the men of my Thursday morning Bible study shared some words of wisdom as they set aside study of this Sunday’s scripture to spend time in conversation and prayer about our country. Their advice is worth noting:
- "Yesterday was an invasion of our liberty” that “must not be swept under the rug.”
- “A tremendous burden lies on our government to enter us into a healing process.”
- “We have a job, too. We have to create the atmosphere here” – an atmosphere that “inspires respect for each other and refuses to demonize one another.”
- “This is way beyond partisan stuff. We can’t allow untruth to hold sway.”
- “We have to recognize our common humanity and citizenship.”
The bottom line is this: we
have work to do. All of us. Let’s begin in deep, earnest prayer for our country
and ourselves – perhaps this one lifted up in Duke Chapel last night by
chaplain Luke Powery:
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to
come.
We need help and we need hope.
Though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult,
though violence seeks to tear apart this nation,
remind us, O Lord,
that there is a river whose streams flow with grace
and love,
and there is a peace that tears down walls of
division.
Break the bow. Shatter the spear.
and call us to be still in your eternal presence
that we may find wisdom for living together
today and tomorrow as your children.
Amen.
