How Christian Politicians On The Right Are Slapping God In The Face

pray like jesus

Many of today’s politicians who are Christian love to proclaim their faith loudly, and love to show it in their voting for laws that are not beneficial to the people that are the least of these or those who Christ would have followed. They often only focus on Paul’s teachings and not on the teachings of the one they claim to follow- Jesus of Nazarene. They love to then go so far as praying in public and proclaiming their faith, but their works seem to only include money given to charities (that they later get a tax break on) and using an opportunity in a photo op. (Remember Paul Ryan in the soup kitchen washing dishes that were already clean? If not, look here.)

It is sad to say that there are also many people in America as citizens and not politicians that act the same way. They go out of their way to post public prayers on Facebook, insist that they only have to have faith and not do any works (contrary to what Jesus, James, and Matthew said), and that there are those worthy of help while there are those who are not. They say in one breath that we are a Christian nation, yet they care more for the rich than the poor. They vote Republican because of the religious identity of most Republican politicians being Christian and praying in public. But, the question is, what did Jesus himself say about praying in public, works, and faith?

Praying in Public

Jesus addressed this particular trend that was going on in his time with the Pharisees. They would pray loudly on the street corners, to show how righteous and “good” they were. They put on a show for all to see and yet their hearts were dark and full of evil. Jesus had this to say about praying in public as the Pharisees;

?And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

Matthew 6:5

Jesus before that also said to not practice righteousness for all to see because you would not be blessed by God, to not give to the needy in public but to give in secret, and, later on, to not look somber when you fast so as to draw attention to yourself. (Matthew 6:1-2, Matthew 6:16)

Senator Ted Cruz is very fond of praying in public it would seem. He called for a prayer to close out the debate on the Senate floor concerning the Affordable Healthcare Act, and he joined the prayer vigil outside the White House for the pastor that is detained in Iran. ? I understand the intent behind the prayer vigil, but followers of Christ are called to pray in private and quietly, not in public. Jesus spoke on that often because that was what the Pharisees did. That goes for ALL followers, not just some.

Faith and Works

I have heard many people say that we cannot earn grace with good works alone, but that faith is key. The thing is, Jesus spoke passionately and often about works, especially helping the least of these. There are numerous postings throughout the Gospels of Jesus’s taking a stand for the poor, the needy, the sick, the hurt, prisoners, prostitutes, lepers, and many others. Part of the call for followers of Christ is to be active in advocating for social justices for those who are hurt.

That includes prisoners, as well as others. They are not too far down to receive grace, and even Jesus advocated for them. This is why, when followers cry out for the death sentence to be upheld, for prisoners to have poor food and limited medicine and to be made to live like animals, I shake my head and think, Jesus weeps.

Faith is good to have, this is true, but you have nothing without works. Part of works includes giving to charity, but it also means that you stand against persecution, oppression, hatred, bigotry, greed, and selfishness. It also means that you do not condone such things in the name of God or Christ. To encourage suppression, oppression, hatred, bigotry, greed, and selfishness and then call this a Christian nation is a big red warning flag of hypocrisy because we have children, elderly, prisoners, and millions that are voiceless and sick. We have millions who are hurt and without healthcare.

Yet there is such a concern for appearances, it would seem, which is not what God is about. You can put on the biggest show you want in public, with praying in public loudly, professing how much you pay into charity, and how great your faith is, but God knows the truth. And your actions can make your words very empty, very quickly.

We will not be judged for homosexuality or sexual immorality; we, as a nation, will be judged for many other things. I will leave you with these words:

“The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40