Pastor's Corner: Repent, renew, resolve, pray

As God's people, we are called by Jesus to love God and to love our neighbors. As citizens of the United States of America who follow this call, we must engage the complex and contentious social issues that face our nation with humility, civility, intellectual rigor and honesty. As followers of Jesus - whether Democrats, Republicans or independents - we must seek the health of our nation for the good of all people.

Do we acknowledge that we have not always loved God and loved our neighbors? Despite the example of Jesus and the teaching of Scripture, do we admit that many of us have not adequately opposed the unjust systems that fail people of color, women, children and the unborn? Do we admit that we have not always fulfilled God's commands to protect the immigrant, refugee and poor? Do we acknowledge that we have not always treated those who hold different opinions - both inside and outside of our faith - with dignity? Do we admit that we have not always displayed the beauty of the gospel of Jesus or the joyful relationship with Him through faith? If we acknowledge and admit to these things, it is time for us to repent, and ask God to help us make the changes that we need to.

Faithful civic engagement and witness must be based on a biblically balanced foundation. We need to renew our commitment to follow the way of Jesus in our personal lives and our spheres of influence, seeking the flourishing of our communities through just and merciful laws and leadership. Would you agree that this includes: protecting religious freedom and liberty of conscience; safeguarding the nature and sanctity of human life; strengthening marriages, families and children; seeking justice and compassion for the poor and vulnerable; preserving human rights; pursuing racial justice and reconciliation; promoting just peace and restraining violence; and caring for God's creation? I know that these listed issues do not exhaust the concerns of faith or government, however they do illustrate broad commitments in which we all can engage in common action.

The needs of the moment are critical. We need to resolve to:

• Seek racial justice and reconciliation, asking for or extending forgiveness on an individual, local and national level;

• Uphold a comprehensive pro-life ethic that protects both the unborn and the vulnerable of all ages, enriching life through equal opportunity and justice so that all women and men may flourish;

• Resist being co-opted by political agendas and instead pursue the breadth of commitments that Jesus displayed and Scriptures teach;

• Embody God's love for all, treating people with dignity even when we must confront them as required by our Christian conscience and convictions; and

• Pray for all who carry the responsibilities and burdens of leadership.

As we trust in God, we commit to the biblical calling to "act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God."  (Micah 6:8)

The most important action that we can take is to pray. 2 Chronicles 7:14 states that 14 "if My (God's) people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Would you agree that our land is in desperate need of healing? Healing of division, healing of discouragement, healing of depression - and, of course, healing of the disease of COVID-19, the coronavirus itself. In addition to healthy precautions such as mask-wearing, hand-washing, and social distancing, we would be wise to approach God and ask Him for His healing upon our land. As I was praying this morning, the thought came to me, wouldn't it have been better for me if I had spent the time praying to God for the answers our country and our community need, instead of the endless sharing of opinions about mask-wearing, social distancing, and which political party would serve our country best? How about you? Yes, I encourage all of us to vote in the Nov. 3 election and, yes, I urgently encourage all of us to humble ourselves, pray and seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways. If we will do these things: God will hear from heaven; God will forgive our sins; and God will heal our land! Let us all: repent, renew, resolve, and pray. Amen!

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Written by the Rev. Edroy "Curt" Curtis, president of the Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association, Northern Montana Care Center chaplain, and lead pastor of Havre Assembly of God Church