An Interfaith Coalition of Three

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star and crescent, star of David, and Christian cross contained inside a heart with sun shining on them
Three people from 3 countries and 3 different faith traditions united recently to accomplish a single purpose–the creation of a 4dwebsite for one of them–Ramy Moustafa–a blind musician from Egypt. The other involved parties were myself, a Christian from Arizona in the United States and Sandy Feldman, a Jewish sighted web developer from Canada. Across faiths, across timezones, across languages, across countries, the walls came tunblin down as we worked together to construct a multilingual English/Arabic site to showcase Dr. Moustafa’s musical abilities and knowledge.

Surely there are many instances when those of the three Abrahamic faith traditions united for a purpose. One of the most recent examples is certainly the earthquake in Morrocco. This is far more humble. It’s just three people from three different countries, backgrounds, and faith traditions uniting to promote a little good in the world. Having thus said, perhaps if there were more interfaith coalitions like this one, there might not be nearly as many fights among their members Small ripples make big waves.
turbulent ripples

Can We Unite Around This Prayer?

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I’ve long said that people have far more in common than we have differences. It holds true for Christians as well. Although we have many schisms, there are also many things that unite us–our love of Jesus, our desire to devote ourselves to prayer & scripture, and our desire to see our nation pursue a right course. The problem is, for the latter, there is a lot of debate as to what that is.

I’ve been giving a lot of thought lately about a prayer we might all be able to agree on. I’ve come up with one which I think is scripturally sound. What do you think?

Lord, you’ve said we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. Help me to seek the truth, know the truth, and be freed by it. Help all those who are called by Your name to do so as well. Lead me in the path of righteousness for your name’s sake, & please lead our nation in it as well. Please help me and all those who are called by your name to hunger and thirst for righteousness, be pure of heart, and seek to make peace–not the peace of the world, but rather the peace of God. Help us to love you with our whole being, and help us love our neighbors as ourselves.

I wonder what would happen if, in sincerity and purity of heart, we Christians would pray this prayer and then act on what God instructs us to do? Would you try it with me till the end of the year?

Prayer for the Nations 11-17-22

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3 The legal experts and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. Placing her in the center of the group,
4 they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.
5 In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone women like this. What do you say?”
6 They said this to test him, because they wanted a reason to bring an accusation against him. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger.
7 They continued to question him, so he stood up and replied, “Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone.”
John 8:3-7 CEB

Prayer for the Nations 11-16-22

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1 The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too.
2 Because God is the one who established it on the seas; God set it firmly on the waters.
3 Who can ascend the LORD’s mountain? Who can stand in his holy sanctuary?
4 Only the one with clean hands and a pure heart; the one who hasn’t made false promises, the one who hasn’t sworn dishonestly.
5 That kind of person receives blessings from the LORD and righteousness from the God who saves.
Psalm 24:1-5 CEB

Prayer for the Nations 11-15-22

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3 Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye?
4 How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when there’s a log in your eye?
5 You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye.
Matthew 7:3-5 CEB

Prayer for the Nations 11-14-22

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43 “You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighborp and hate your enemy.
44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you
45 so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same?
48 Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.
Matthew 5:43-48 CEB

Prayer for the Nations 11-12-22

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14 if my people who belong to me will humbly pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Prayer for the Nations 11-11-22

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5C What does the LORD require?
6 With what should I approach the LORD and bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings, with year-old calves?
7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime; the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit?
8He has told you, human one, what is good and what the LORD requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6 5C-8 CEB

Prayer for the Nations 11-9-22

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17 Though the fig tree doesn’t bloom, and there’s no produce on the vine; though the olive crop withers, and the fields don’t provide food; though the sheep are cut off from the pen, and there are no cattle in the stalls;
18 I will rejoice in the LORD. I will rejoice in the God of my deliverance.
19 The LORD God is my strength. He will set my feet like the deer. He will let me walk upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 CEB