Almighty God unto whom all hearts and minds are open and from whom nothing is hidden, we humbly approach your throne of grace. First, we acknowledge you as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all life. We thank and praise you for your grace, mercy and long-suffering toward us- your creation. Thank you for food and shelter and decent clothing. Thank you for waking us up with our minds upon you and for blessing us with the desire to pray and have fellowship with you.

Today we join people of faith throughout the world praying for homeless and hungry people; for those living in war-torn countries, and for all those suffering, directly or indirectly, from the ravaging results of war.  Lord, please help all refugees!

Grant us the privilege of participating in your resurrecting, reconciling, and restorative process. Let the good that we do glorify you and benefit others. In accordance with your Holy Word, let us do nothing out of selfish ambition. Create in each of us a clean heart and a right spirt so that we are able to worship you in spirit and in truth. Remove every trace of vainglory. Help us behave courageously by doing the right things for the right reasons. Remind us that we are stewards over the gifts and talents you have given us. Help us not to misuse, neglect or squander them.

In your mercy hear our prayer, please forgive our sins, deliver us from evil and accept our offering of thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22.21b

The county clerk in Kentucky who refuses to issue marriage licenses to gay couples should resign.because the duties and responsibilities of her position conflict with her religious beliefs. It is unfair of her to expect others to accept and live by her religious ideology.

Thank God that America is not a theocracy!  Americans are free to engage in religious activities of their choosing provided those activities do not conflict with the laws of the land. Consequently, the state does not have the right to force religious institutions to incorporate secular laws into religious doctrine and  practices. Likewise neither religious institutions nor individuals have the legal, moral or religious right to impose their religious beliefs upon the larger society.

The Kentucky county clerk is a public employee whose personal views are interfering with her ability to perform her “secular” professional responsibilities. She is absolutely entitled to her beliefs and to practice those beliefs in her private life. However, she does not have the right to refuse to perform any aspect of the job she is paid by taxpayers to perform. .