An Advent prayer for a pagan world
By Tom Quiner
Paganism is flourishing in America and around the world.
This heathen religion takes a number of forms. For some, it is a sort of worship of nature, as expressed by this person who wrote to Dear Abby in the morning’s paper:
DEAR ABBY: I am a longtime practicing Pagan. Because of the media, Pagans are considered to be evil devil-worshippers instead of the nature-loving people with knowledge of home remedies we are. This makes it difficult in the dating world.
A friend of mine wants to hook me up with a friend of his. When is it appropriate to tell the gentleman that I’m a practicing Pagan? I dress like everyone else, so at first glance you wouldn’t suspect my religion isn’t Christian. — LOVER OF NATURE
[For the record, Quiner’s Diner believes she should express her paganism very quickly. Any serious adherent to a faith would want to know information like that fairly early in a relationship before things got too serious and feelings could be hurt.]
For others, paganism is expressed by an embrace of sensual pleasure that fly in the face of traditional Judeo-Christian morality.
Paganism has frequently been characterized by child sacrifice down through the ages. The practice has evolved into a modern cult of human abortionists and practitioners who sacrifice their children on the altar of profits and convenience.
Even more, modern paganism embraces and celebrates same-sex couplings, and even multiple couplings (formerly known as orgies) which go by a nice new name, polyamory.
Modern paganism presents serious challenges to serious Christians. Pagans are increasingly defiant and militant. The name of Christ is profaned in our media by singers, celebrities, and their adoring sycophants.
The Second Commandment lays a serious message on us: Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain.
This isn’t the 9th or 10th Amendment. It’s the 2nd. It even comes ahead of “you shall not kill.”
This is a big deal. And yet the name of God, in all of its beautiful forms, is defiantly denigrated in an aggressive, pagan society that is throwing its weight around.
What can I do about it? I simply offer up a prayer, a prayer I title:
AN ADVENT PRAYER for a PAGAN WORLDBy Tom Quiner
Heavenly Father, we praise your glorious name!
Jesus Christ, Son of God, we praise your glorious name!
Holy Spirit, we praise your glorious name!
O Blessed Trinity, we thank-you for loving man so much that You came to live amongst us two thousand years ago.
We thank-you for showing us how to love each other.
We thank-you for our Blessed Mother who, by saying ‘yes,’ taught us the importance of trusting you with our entire lives and experiencing true freedom.
Of all the names in this world, God, none are more beautiful than Yours.
Bread of Life, Chosen One, Christ, Comforter, Cornerstone, Counselor, Creator, and Deliverer, we praise you.
Eternal God, Everlasting Father, Faithful Witness, Holy One, our souls thrill to the sound of your name!
Immanuel, Judge, King of Kings, Lamb of God, we devote our lives to your loving name!
Light of the World, Living Water, Lord, Master, Messiah, Mighty One, we proclaim your name with loving reverence.
Prince of Peace, Prophet, Rabboni, Redeemer, Righteous One, your words are sweeter than honey, giving us life. We praise your glorious name!
Savior, Seed, Servant, Shield, Son of David, Son of God, Son of Man, Star of Jacob, your words are more precious than gold, the finest gold. We praise your glorious name.
Lord, you are our Teacher, our True Light . You are Truth itself.
You are the Way and the Word who loves us so much that you have told us we may even call you Abba.
God, we humbly ask you to forgive us for the times we have used your beautiful name in vain, whether out of youthful immaturity or adult anger, forgive us.
In this Advent season, we proclaim your coming as we proclaim your glorious name.
Praise the Father!
Praise the Son!
Praise the Holy Spirit!
Amen.
If you want to do something, too, why don’t you join me in this prayer? And spread it.
Let us together stand up and restore the awe and fear of the name of God Almighty in a pagan world that so desperately needs Him.
I really enjoyed reading your blog today and will be back! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the kind works, Nick. I really appreciate them. Yes, please do come again and bring a few friends.