Please pray for me to stay centered in the Lord. I wake up most days with a sense of heaviness for our state that has publicly weighed the expression of our worship as “non-essential”. Though I know that we serve a Savior that is omnipresent, I feel remorse that we have not responded in grace and truth to the governor, and his limitations imposed on every house of worship. Where is the masculine leadership of the Church of Minnesota to kindly, respectfully, but firmly stand up to the notion that taking communion, common prayer, common worship and fellowship is as valueless to our society as pumping gas?
He is our fuel! He is our grocery store! He is the department store for our spirit! He is worthy of the respect shown to Holiday, Cub, Target, and Walmart. Lord, if Gov. Walz is truly and sincerely acting from a place of benevolence, why is there no public recognition of the sacrifice of the Church of Minnesota? Why hasn’t our Governor made statements to assure our houses of worship that they will fully retain their inalienable freedoms of religion? Where is the law or precedent that a Governor can regulate, monitor, or insert state controls on the practice of our faith and worship?
If you know the answers to any of these questions, please tell me. My understanding of our law is that it based on the idea of apportionment, the idea that we can and should expect an even and proportional application of the law. Does this mean we can expect Walmart to limit itself to 10 shoppers at time like our cathedrals and large sanctuaries? Will G-d’s house be limited to 10 guests at a time irregardless of size? Shall all food sales, whether packaged or fresh or fast foods be restricted like a communion served only through a table at the door?
What about the spiritual ramifications of touch: in prayer? in baptism? in marriage? in mourning? Are the expressions of our humanity less valued if they come in the Name of the Lord than our neighbors who handle sod, install doors, or serve coffee? Must we wear PPE to remain human?
It seems that these issues all hinge on choice and responsibility. If Governor Walz is the arbiter of health, then it follows logically that we are not responsible for our own health, and the state must make choices for us. Yet, for 244 years, the opposite is the norm. We have the precedent given us by the 9th and 14th Amendments to retain choices not expressly given to the Federal or State governments.
“In sum, the Ninth Amendment simply lends strong support to the view that the “liberty” protected by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments from infringement by the Federal Government or the States is not restricted to rights specifically mentioned in the first eight amendments.” Cf. United Public Workers v. Mitchell, 330 U.S. 75, 94–95.
Lord, come stand between us and Governor Tim Walz. You have made him our legal authority whom we esteem, honor, and regard. Will You resolve this painful issue between the worshippers of Minnesota, and our Governor? We do not wish to become outlaws, but we must not fail by ceasing to worship You. We need You for our survival! We need Your Body for our survival! Come Lord Jesus; show us again that worship is essential!
“…Therefore love truth and peace.” Zechariah 8:18
J.D. Orvis Pray Through History
praythroughhistory 
Brilliant – your Constitution boggles my brain but I am impressed and I pray, you (and the rest of us suffering the same fate in other lands) may receive the visible reward of the re-opening of our Churches!
Lord, Lord we pray, come to our aid!
JD, nothing is impossible when we put our trust and hope in God. The enemy of our souls will not prevail because Jesus has won the victory. The church in Minnesota will come forth as the triumphant bride of Christ. I decree Holy Spirit boldness to the church and obedience to God. See Acts 5: 28 “Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Let the church in Minnesota, arise!
I agree! Thanks for remembering the acts of G-d! Ironic that after all this writing and historical prayer I forget that “It is finished!”
He called the catch and is watching it fall straight into his glove.
Yes! We know the victory is the Lord’s!
This is certainly an unprecedented, hard time for us all, friend. We too miss our Christian community terribly. I don’t pretend to have the answer, but I think I see a piece of the puzzle, maybe? In Matthew 25 :30 is a list of the physical needs Jesus had, which the righteous took care of for Him first. So, as I’m seeing it, our physical needs are immediate which grocery stores and gas stations fulfill, and then our spiritual needs are more long-term. And absolutely nothing prevents us from praying and meeting God on our own, and talking to our church friends. For the time being, we just can’t assemble as a congregation as we’re accustomed to? Hopefully we will again very very soon though!! Please God!!!!
Once we enter emergency powers, it is very difficult to remain balanced. Thanks for your reply!
I totally agree!!! I will pray for you. Will you pray for me ?
Of course!
Absolutely! May word blooms experience the functionality and joys of your heavenly council. May their life be blessed on earth, as You perceive them in heaven. May they find the courage to lay aside all that hinders them in relationships: with You, with others, and within themselves. Do Your best for them to heal the past, free the present, and bless the future!