Part Eight of A Call to Christian Patriotism

I never know what will happen each week. Ryan and Biden debated last week. I taped it, but didn't see it yet. Friday I went to the hospital, and Sunday I was released from the hospital. I am fine and am posting here essentially what was ready before I went to the hospital and will not write much more.

I never know where these ten Monday posts will take me as I go through Howard A. Eyrich's A Call to Christian Patriotism will take. Last week:

• The King's English takes on a study of wars and rumors of wars here.
• Speaking of tensions in our world, here is a YouTube on Libya and how the current administration has handled or not the incident.
• It's not just Americans who are being killed, but Christians in our world.

• Fox reports that Israel is concerned about Hezbollah here.

America! America!
God mend thy every flaw,
Confirm they soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law (quoted from “Oh Beautiful, For Special Skies” p. 123 of Eyrich's book ).

Just as many Muslims in our countries have other allegiances, we also are citizens of two countries—the USA and heaven as Eyrich cites Hebrews 12.

In this section of Eyrich's book I was also struck by two prayers. The first one Dr. E. penned:

Almighty God, giver of earthly and heavenly citizenships, help us to live out our earthly citizenship in light of the reality of our heavenly citizenship. As Christian Patriots, enable us to see ito it that we do not come short of Your grace; that we allow no root of bitterness to spring up since it will defile many. Lord, it is so easy in our American citizenship to become bitter toward our leaders who abandon the good gifts you secured through our forefathers and in the process tarnish our heavenly citizenship. Help us, Lord, to pray for them and work to elect those who will honor your gifts. Do not let us tarnish our heavenly citizenship; rather, let our citizenship in your kingdom cause our citizenship in America to shine for you (p. 107).

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer is quoted:

Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled; that thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all the consultations, to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy Church, and the safety, honour, and welfare of they people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour, Amen. (p. 119)

I had a chance to share the love of Jesus in my hospital room and am now praying for a family of four siblings with multiple medical and spiritual needs. You never know what a week will bring and I am glad I could be in that hospital room this week and will be in contact with those sisters I met in my hospital room.