“that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God,” she exhorted the congregants. “That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan.”
Well, I don’t know what God things about these wars, but Jesus said something like, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I don’t think bombing the living hell out of someone counts as either “loving” or “forgiving.”
Back to the quote, this is perhaps comforting to tell conservative Christian parents of young people serving overseas in this war, but taken outside that context these words are pretty creepy.
This kind of thing is what many of us who are upset about the possibility of Gov. Palin holding our nation’s highest office worry about – it’s such a simplistic, superstitious view of the world and America’s role in it. I will start praying that God sends all these right wingers the wisdom to open their eyes and see that they need to vote Democrat.

“Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God,” she exhorted the congregants. “That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan.”
This is the VERY best you and your buddies at HuffPost can come up with today in the way of a “slam” against this woman? You’ve got to be kidding! Talk about grasping at straws.
Nice try, Dean Raushenbush. Don’t you have some official duties at Princeton to attend to now? Better luck with that.

“Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God,” she exhorted the congregants. “That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan.”
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I’ll take that over “God Damn America”, but it’s close call…

Hmmm… It doesn’t sound like she is claiming that either the war or the pipeline are the will of God – just asking that the leaders find the will of God, that they seek His will and guidance before sending our young men and women out to fight. She also seems to understand that for any large endeavor to succeed, that God’s help is essential, so she asks for prayer that God would intervene and help bring people together.
I don’t see anything in this article to suggest that she is stating that God has commanded these things, but she wants prayer for guidance and divine help. I think all Christians should do the same in most areas of their lives.

Jesus revealed a God who clearly understood that pursuing a war, any war, was not the will of God. The first three centuries of followers of Jesus clearly understood that fighting in a war was not the will of God. So Palin was praying for God to reject the entire teaching of Jesus on the matter.

This really does show the panic of the left. I suppose if she claimed divinity, she’d be more like Obama, but I don’t know. Sarah Palin has more than enought executive and political experience to do the job she’s running for—which is more than I can about the empty suit at the top of the Democrat ticket. She brings with her the real ‘Change’ we can use in Washington. And I’m for her today and tomorrow.

Panic? Both Biden and Obama are calmly suggesting the media leave Palin and her family alone. The only panic seems to be coming from the right.

Palin’s preacher dangerously mixes religion and politics. Houses of worship are not supposed to be a place for partisan politics. They forfeit their tax exempt status. All the end times stuff is scary, too. That’s why the Christian Right/neocons want to attack Iran. They figure they can start WWIII and bring back Jesus.

Someone who seeks God’s will in public office? Just think how much better off we’d be if some of the pastors who contribute to this site did the same thing in their churches and on their blogs!

“Jesus revealed a God who clearly understood that pursuing a war, any war, was not the will of God.”
Perhaps you’d better let God know about this development, because it clearly was not His position in the Old Testament. Jesus did not come to give us a handbook for handling national decisions, but personal ones. That’s why he was not a political leader. He gave very effective teaching for interpersonal relations, but not national policy. “Turn the other cheek” is great advice for interpersonal relationships, but it’s a terrible idea for a national government unless one wants to invite more violence within their borders. Is there anyone on this board who actually believes we would NOT have experienced another terrorist attack since 9/11 if we had simply said, “We understand their frustration; we forgive them; we aren’t going to do anything about it?”

If you are curious, intrigued, confused, or outraged about Sarah Palin’s comments invoking God’s role in the Iraq war, you may want to watch Constantine’s Sword (www.constantinessword.com). The film shows what happens when military power and religious fervor are joined.