Lord, help us not to let our responses be ruled by appearances, for it to no longer be the case that “to stop someone from inviting you to church, the fastest way is to just dye your hair, modify your appearance, and generally act out”.

That the appearance (partial reality) of Jews and anti-Semitism, Muslims and the Crusades, those who see us spending effort on pro life but seemingly no effort on what comes after, and now our standpoint and the LGBT community not end up/no longer be an obstacle to bringing them to You.

Thank you Lord. Help us to fulfill Your Law in love, not to be known for what we stand against but for our love for You and for each other. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.