Two Prayers, Two Americas: Which One Would Jesus Join?

“One prayer gets the cameras. The other gets the handcuffs. One is praised. The other is prosecuted. And both say they follow Jesus.”

This week in America, we saw two very public acts of prayer. One took place at the White House. The other in the Capitol Rotunda. Both claimed to be Christian. But only one looked like Jesus.

Scene One: The White House Prayer Circle

At the White House, a group of high-profile evangelical leaders—including Pastor Robert Jeffress—stood in a circle and offered up public prayers over political power. They praised policies that deport families, marginalize LGBTQ+ people, and restrict women’s rights. They did it in the name of Jesus. And they were celebrated for it.

It was performative. It was platformed. It had official approval and full media access.

Scene Two: The Capitol Rotunda Prayer Arrests

Days later, inside the U.S. Capitol, Rev. Dr. William Barber II and two others knelt in prayer. Their cause? A moral budget—one that defends the dignity of the poor, the working class, and the marginalized. Their prayer wasn’t political theater—it was a plea for justice.

They were arrested.

They were charged with “crowding, obstructing, or incommoding” while speaking up for those who too often go unheard.

So Let’s Ask: Which Prayer Would Jesus Have Joined?

Would Jesus have joined the elite circle blessing deportation policies and praising a human ruler?

Or would he have knelt on cold marble floors with the oppressed, risking arrest to speak truth to power?

We believe it’s no contest. Jesus would have been arrested.

This Is Christian Nationalism in Action

These two prayers show the deep rot at the heart of Christian nationalism. This movement wraps power in religious language but stands in direct opposition to the life and teachings of Jesus.

When religion is co-opted by empire, it becomes weaponized.

And when justice is punished while privilege is praised, we can be sure: we’re not following Jesus anymore—we’re worshiping power.

“Jesus never courted influence in the palace. He walked among the poor. He lifted the lowly. He touched the untouchable.”

A Faith Worth Fighting For

This isn’t about political sides. It’s about a Gospel that has always—always—stood with the marginalized.

The Jesus we follow does not cozy up to those who hold power over others.
He flips tables. He heals. He weeps. He includes.

And he never arrests people for praying.

So let’s stop pretending that Christian nationalism is Christianity.
It’s not.

It’s time to reclaim a faith that looks like Jesus:
❤️ inclusive
❤️ justice-driven
❤️ radically loving

Because the world doesn’t need more “God bless America” prayer rallies.

It needs more Christians willing to kneel, get arrested, and love like Jesus.

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