Verse and Voice 08/18/23

August 18, 2023

Verse of the day

But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! but we are determined to have a king over us, so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
1 Samuel 8:19-20

Voice of the day

It’s tempting to let our collective fear and pain shape our Savior into one who will be militaristic and merciless. … Oppression is always more palatable when it is wrapped in the language of faith.

Juan Martínez Ovalle, “What’s Behind the ‘Peace’ in El Salvador”

Prayer of the day

Lord, for too long we have let our fears and desires for power make a Savior who is in our image. Redeem our imaginations; may we reject this God of Empire we’ve created.