Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19 NIV)
Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie said, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” in her book Mrs. Dymond (1885). Giving a person a “fish” provides immediate relief from hunger, but teaching them “to fish” gives them the ability to feed themselves long-term. This idea of short-term relief versus long-term empowerment also comes to mind as we reflect on our nation’s recent political challenges.
A year from tomorrow thankfully ended one of the most over-the-top election cycles in recent decades. Regardless of your opinion of Donald J. Trump as president or our current Congress, at least we can take a deep breath knowing that the process ended without major violence—and that we won’t have to go through something like that again for a while.
But even as we breathe a sigh of relief over the peaceful conclusion of the election, the work of governing continues—and right now, Congress is struggling to do its job. As I write this, the federal government is in yet another day of a fiscal shutdown. That doesn’t mean all federal bills are going unpaid, but it has certainly sent many media outlets into a frenzy. As usual, Republicans and Democrats are blaming each other for the stalemate, warning of dire consequences if the other side doesn’t immediately give in to their demands. Stubborn as ever, both parties are entrenched in their positions, unwilling to work together to solve this issue—perhaps out of fear of angering their base or losing traction on social media. Pathetic.
In the meantime, one group of people directly affected by the shutdown faces very real challenges. Whether or not a politician’s pet project is funded pales in comparison to the question of whether people can feed themselves. The suspension of SNAP benefits for millions could leave some struggling to access enough food—a basic human need. While many state and local food programs are stepping in to help, most food pantries are already stretched to their limits. The reality is that our nation has ample resources to prevent starvation, so we are unlikely to see children going hungry, as some in the media scream. However, for many people, food insecurity is already a real and serious issue, and it should not be used as a pawn in political games.
These challenges highlight a bigger question for our nation: how much should we rely on the federal government to manage issues that deeply affect our communities? I believe it is time for communities to reflect, pray, and have honest conversations about the role of the federal government in our lives. If you disagree with one administration and I disagree with another, reducing federal influence could help ease the tension in our society. Then, when policies or ideas clash with our values, we can respond more quickly and effectively at the local, county, or state level, instead of dragging everything through the mire of the elected federal government and the bureaucracy.
Recognizing these challenges, our response as individuals and communities must include both practical support and spiritual action. Today, we need to pray for an end to this immediate conflict and government shutdown. We need to pray that individuals, families, and communities have the resources necessary to support those experiencing food insecurity. We also need to pray that, beyond providing temporary relief—a “fish for a day”—our society will empower people who can to “learn to fish,” giving them the skills and resources they need to thrive without being caught in the turmoil of political strife.
All Sufficient God,
We come to you today, grateful that you provide all we need to live, yet frustrated that worldly systems prevent some people from receiving what they need. We cry out to you to break the power of the evil one, who stirs up strife and dissension and seeks to kill, steal, and destroy relationships and resources that could be used to help people everywhere.
For our nation, we pray and declare, in the name of Jesus, an end to this government shutdown and all its chaos. We ask that your angel armies intervene in Washington, D.C., so that members of Congress can work together and deliver a lawful and just solution for the President’s signature.
We pray that the American people would carefully observe what is happening at the federal level, and be wise and discerning about how much influence we want the government to have. And we pray that you would help us care for those who need food, while also equipping those who can to develop the skills and resources to provide for themselves without relying solely on government assistance.
Guide us, guard us, and help us love one another as you have loved us. We ask all this in Jesus’s name. AMEN.
A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need. (John 10:10 GW)
The power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. (Psalm 37:17 NIV)
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6 NIV)
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23 NIV)