Blog Posts By God's Politics Editor

 God, fill us with a desire to support those in our communities with the most need, even when doing so requires us to sacrifice.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. - Galatians 5:22-25 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail

Jim Wallis, President and CEO of Sojourners, met with President Barack Obama and other key officials at the White House on Friday to discuss the fiscal cliff, and urge a fair budget deal that does not harm the poor and vulnarable. After the meeting, he sat down with Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC's Politics Nation to talk about the results of the meeting. Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.  - Acts 2:42-47 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail

Our country just hit a tipping point. Leading up to the election, contentious posts filled our Facebook feeds, and bickering pundits caused more stress than is healthy. We split ourselves down the middle. But in the aftermath of the election, out of the rubble, a new consensus is forming—that we need to come together to solve the nation’s most pressing and impending problems.We believe what we need right now is to come together and have a robust discussion about the “Common Good.” It’s an old concept that’s being reinvented by a new generation. From caring for our neighbors, whether next door and across the glove, it’s also the theme of Jim Wallis’ newest book, On God's Side, set to release from Brazos Press in early February of 2012.Jim’s book is the beginning of the conversation, but he can’t have it by himself. An essential part of the common good is a multi-faceted, community-driven exploration of what that really means.This is where you come in.We’re looking for one- to three-minute submitted videos that examine what the common good means to you. We’ll send you an advance copy of Jim’s book for inspiration, and you take it from there.The best part? We’ll pay you $1,000.Afterwards, we’ll promote your video on all our platforms. You can expect nationwide publicity, and a huge bump in your viewership. Your portfolio will thank you. Here’s the process:Start applying today, November 16th. The application is HERE. It’s pretty straightforward. Submission deadline is December 10th, and we’ll let you know by the 12th if you’re 1 of 3 finalists. You send us a rough cut by January 16th, and a final cut on January 30th. January 30th comes, we get a final cut, and you get $1,000.Want in?

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. - James 3:17 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail

Peace is not an absence of war; it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice. - Benedict De Spinoza From Theological-Political Treatise + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: mightily spread abroad your Spirit — particularly in the Middle East today — that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one God; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. -Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer

Where there is great love there are always miracles. - Willa Cather + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail

Eternal God, your Son points us to the unfolding of your kingdom in our midst. May we become living signs of the kingdom through the love we show those around us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. -From Daily Prayer

 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for [God] will speak peace to [God's] people, to [God's] faithful, to those who turn to [God] in their hearts. Surely his [or her] salvation is at hand for those who fear [God], that [God's] glory may dwell in our land. - Psalm 85:8-9 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail

Do not think that saintliness comes from occupation; it depends rather on what one is. The kind of work we do does not make us holy, but we may make it holy. - Meister Eckhart + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail

God of the poor and the oppressed, of the marginalized and those cast aside, we pray to you as leaders in Washington debate what to do about the looming fiscal cliff. We ask that solutions might come that help, protect, and defend the least of these in the face of a world that does not. Give us the boldness to do our parts in this, your story, and to speak out for those who have not, for you call us to bring good news to the poor. Amen.

Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world? - Abraham Lincoln From Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, 1861 + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail

My pain and my joy are beyond compreshension. I turn everything over to you. All judgments I release. Emptying the thoughts of craving, fear, dislike. I know the light can then be free to shine. Your light, my light, our light. Thank you for the Life that is my journey. Let me be entirely changed, so that only clear Being remains. -A prayer by Wendy Wolters

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.  - James 2:26 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail

I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. - Barack Obama -From his speech after re-election + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail

God, we pray for our elected leaders, old and new. We pray that you would grant them wisdom and vision. Help them address the needs and issues facing this country and the world. 

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’ And Solomon said, " ... Give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.  - 1 Kings 3:5-10 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail

'My country, right or wrong,' is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying, 'My mother, drunk or sober.' - G.K. Chesterton From The Defendant + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail

Lord, if we are to be afraid of anything, let it be the fear of not committing ourselves fully to you. Let us fear that the day will pass without our having lightened the load of another. Let us fear that someone will come looking for you and find only us. Amen. -From Common Prayer

Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt. - Samuel Johnson From The Rambler + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail

God, we are so used to seeing ourselves as individuals with personal destinies. Remind us that we are made in your image, the image of community. Help us to love each other and be made one as you are one. Whisper your love to us and let us whisper your love to the world today. Amen.