LBW #170, "Crown Him With Many Crowns"
Devotion
With our nation at war this Christ the King Sunday, I encourage congregations to sing the fifth verse of this hymn with gusto. Looking with hope to the Lord of peace, we pray for the time when wars may cease. On the 20th of each month, congregations in my synod join in prayer vigils for God’s reign of peace with justice in the Middle East.
There is an urgent need for Middle East peace. Wounds are deep on both sides. Adding to the complexity is the Christian Zionist interpretation of Scriptures regarding the end time and the second coming of Christ. "Rapture theology," upon which the best-selling Left Behind series is based, requires destruction of Islamic holy sites, rebuilding of the temple and then its destruction before Christ the King will return.
It is urgent that followers of the Lord of peace act for peace with justice, today. We cannot ignore our responsibility to work for change. The extensive media coverage of the harsh suffering of people in the Holy Land will make it difficult for us to answer, “Lord, when did we see you ... ?”
Prayer
Almighty God, we rejoice that Christ is crowned prince of peace. Give us courage and wisdom to work for justice and peace for all people, especially for the least among us. Amen.