Life in America today has the strange feeling that we are going about our regular daily lives --work, school, buying groceries--while we are at war in Iran. Today (Tuesday April 7) has been especially surreal because the news was all about President Trump’s blasphemous Easter morning post threatening to destroy the civilian infrastructure of Iran, only to back down at the 11th hour and agree, seemingly, to a ceasefire.
The sickening anti-religious element of Trump’s post bothers me especially as a person of faith. He threatened a Muslim nation with military annihilation, ending the message with a sarcastic Muslim prayer. This is disgusting and immoral, and people of faith everywhere should be appalled.
In contrast to the war-mongering behavior of my government, I am buoyed with hope over two things I saw this past week. First, while driving through Chicago, I saw a highway billboard that read:
RAMADAN MUBARAK
Blessings of Peace
from your Muslim neighbors
Second, on social media today I saw a short video featuring the people of Iran: bakers, teachers, children, adults, men and women. It was a glimpse into a vibrant culture. The feeling I got from the billboard is joy: these are my people; my geographical neighbors; my siblings in spirit. They are being courageous and authentic with their faith in a way that just might soften some hearts. The feeling I get from the Facebook video is sadness: these very people filmed living their lives are now under the threat of bombs and missiles paid for by my tax dollars, and fired by my army. I’m sad for the destruction of their country and sad for the deep rift between our nations—not caused by teachers and mothers and cobblers, but by hate-filled authoritarian leaders. And this rift means that there is little chance I will ever meet these people as friends.
PRAYER:
God of All the Nations,
May the day soon arrive when we elect leaders who care about children and hospitals—the children of every nation--more than they do about military power.
May there be a lasting peace in the middle east; may all people and all nations commit to a common peace that benefits all.
May families and good people around the world recognize our common humanity—and may we insist on government leaders who do the same.
In the name and faith of all humanity,
May it be so.
Rev. Drew Frantz
April 7, 2026
The sickening anti-religious element of Trump’s post bothers me especially as a person of faith. He threatened a Muslim nation with military annihilation, ending the message with a sarcastic Muslim prayer. This is disgusting and immoral, and people of faith everywhere should be appalled.
In contrast to the war-mongering behavior of my government, I am buoyed with hope over two things I saw this past week. First, while driving through Chicago, I saw a highway billboard that read:
RAMADAN MUBARAK
Blessings of Peace
from your Muslim neighbors
Second, on social media today I saw a short video featuring the people of Iran: bakers, teachers, children, adults, men and women. It was a glimpse into a vibrant culture. The feeling I got from the billboard is joy: these are my people; my geographical neighbors; my siblings in spirit. They are being courageous and authentic with their faith in a way that just might soften some hearts. The feeling I get from the Facebook video is sadness: these very people filmed living their lives are now under the threat of bombs and missiles paid for by my tax dollars, and fired by my army. I’m sad for the destruction of their country and sad for the deep rift between our nations—not caused by teachers and mothers and cobblers, but by hate-filled authoritarian leaders. And this rift means that there is little chance I will ever meet these people as friends.
PRAYER:
God of All the Nations,
May the day soon arrive when we elect leaders who care about children and hospitals—the children of every nation--more than they do about military power.
May there be a lasting peace in the middle east; may all people and all nations commit to a common peace that benefits all.
May families and good people around the world recognize our common humanity—and may we insist on government leaders who do the same.
In the name and faith of all humanity,
May it be so.
Rev. Drew Frantz
April 7, 2026
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