When We Prayed For Everyone

I remember when churches prayed for presidents whether they voted for them or not.

We prayed for Democrats.

We prayed for Republicans.

We prayed for independents.

We prayed for people we agreed with.

We prayed for people we couldn’t understand.

We prayed for people who insulted us.

Because Jesus told us to pray for our enemies.

Somehow, somewhere along the way, we started praying more against people than for people.

We began treating political opponents like enemies of God.

But Jesus never handed us a ballot and said,

“Here is how you will know who your neighbor is.”

He handed us a command:

Love them.

I miss those days.

And I wonder what might happen if the Church started praying like Jesus again. ~OC

The Sermon That Changed Everything

I remember a pastor preaching a sermon that had nothing to do with Washington.

No politicians were mentioned.

No political party was attacked.

No election was discussed.

Instead, the pastor opened the Bible and said:

“Love your neighbor.”

Then he talked about the widow.

The orphan.

The prisoner.

The hungry.

The lonely.

The forgotten.

He reminded us that following Jesus wasn’t about winning arguments.

It was about becoming more like Christ.

People walked out of that church talking about what Jesus had said.

Not what a politician had tweeted.

Not what Congress had done.

Not what political battle was coming next.

Just Jesus.

I miss those sermons.

I miss a Christianity that didn’t need a political enemy to feel spiritually alive. ~OC

Starting a Campaign…Not a Political One

Today’s a new day! As I scroll through social media and watch the news, I am heartbroken about all the division I see in our world. So as I was praying and reflecting this morning, I thought how can I make the world a better and kinder place? So here is the idea that came to my mind. Are you ready?

Today, Saturday October 19, 2024, I am starting a campaign (no, not a political campaign), that I hope brings some smiles and happiness to a broken world. The campaign is called #OCencouragedmeto. I am encouraging everyone to perform a simple act of kindness for someone and share it on your social media pages or on the Facebook and Instagram pages OCencouragedmeto using the hashtag #OCencouragedmeto. These simple act of kindness could be an encouraging sticky note left on your coworkers desk, buying coffee or lunch for the person in the line behind you. It doesn’t have to be anything big. Just a simple act of love and kindness towards someone else, using the hashtag #OCencouragedmeto.

As I continue running this crazy beautiful health journey, I want to spend whatever time I have left encouraging people. I hope you will join me on this fun, let’s make someone smile adventure. ~OC

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