QOTD: “Pray for me”

 

I was never a Kanye West fan before his Jesus Is King album. Nothing personal; I don’t listen to much rap or hip-hop at all. However, when I heard that he had professed faith in Christ and put out a Christian album, I was excited and gave it a listen.

I loved it. I’ve listened to it multiple times, and particular songs many times. I’ve added Kanye to my prayer list, and I’m hoping that he will continue to grow in Christ and use his platform to glorify God and further His Kingdom.

Something that made me sad, though, was the reaction some had when they heard the news: “We’ll see.” I understand where they were coming from, but here’s how I look at it: if a friend of mine became a Christian, I would be excited and try to help get them into a church, pray for them, etc. I want to respond the same way with Kanye. Based on the salvations and baptisms pictured in the New Testament, I think this is a Biblical response.

All that being said, here is my quote of the day, some lines from Kanye’s song “Hands On.” It seemed he knew that this reaction would come:

I deserve all the criticism you got
If that’s all the love you have, that’s all you got
To sing of change, you think I’m joking
To praise His name, you ask what I’m smoking
Yes, I understand your reluctancy, yeah
But I have a request, you see
Don’t throw me up, lay your hands on me
Please, pray for me

So, fellow believers, join me in praying for Kanye: for his personal discipleship, for him to be a godly father, and for him to glorify Jesus with the platform God has allowed him to have. He’ll make mistakes, sure. But he is our brother in Christ now. Let’s seek to build him up.

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There are 12 comments.

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  1. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    I agree completely. We can’t necessarily expect to understand another’s path to Him. We all come to know the Lord in our individual time and way. The important thing is to know Him. We can exchange our individual stories when we get Home.

    • #1
  2. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    Religion helps center people with mental illnesses. I mean that seriously and approvingly. Jesus is like the best social worker when it comes to addiction treatments. 

    • #2
  3. She Member
    She
    @She

    This is the Quote of the Day. September’s sign-up sheet is here.  Please sign up today for free shipping and the usual special offer!

    If you’re new at this game, it’s a easy way to get your feet wet and start a conversation; if you’re an old-timer, you already know the ropes.  Either way, please sign up to speak up.

    Another ongoing project to encourage new voices is our Group Writing Project. September’s theme is “Best and Worst.”  If you’d like to weigh in, please sign up for Group Writing too!

    • #3
  4. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    I wonder if Kim K. heading for the marital exit caused the change or was the result of it.

    Either way, good for Kanye!

    • #4
  5. JoelB Member
    JoelB
    @JoelB

    I have not paid much attention to Kanye either “before” or “after”, but his lyrics ring true. I will join you, Allie, in praying for him. We all need God’s grace.

    • #5
  6. Tyrion Lannister Inactive
    Tyrion Lannister
    @TyrionLannister

    I remember when the Taylor Swift v Kanye West thing happened years ago.  My overall impression of each has flipped since then.  I like Kanye far more now than I did before, and now I can’t stand Taylor Swift.  Strange times.

    • #6
  7. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    Well said.

    We should pray not only for new converts, that they be rooted and withstand early trials. We should also pray for people who yet seem completely lost, but by conversion might live in eternal peace and lead others to Christ.

    St Paul, Mary Magdalene, and many other saints seemed lost for many years. And then!

    A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

    Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,

    she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

    When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”

    Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.

    “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.

    Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?”

    Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

    Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

    You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.

    You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.

    So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

    He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

    • #7
  8. Mark Camp Member
    Mark Camp
    @MarkCamp

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    Religion helps center people with mental illnesses. I mean that seriously and approvingly. Jesus is like the best social worker when it comes to addiction treatments.

    Superficially. But ultimately what you are saying is a lie. not true in my opinion.

    The only important thing is that the Christian religion helps sinners who accept it, and doesn’t help those who mock it.

    • #8
  9. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    Mark Camp (View Comment):

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    Religion helps center people with mental illnesses. I mean that seriously and approvingly. Jesus is like the best social worker when it comes to addiction treatments.

    Superficially. But ultimately what you are saying is a lie.

    The only important thing is that the Christian religion helps sinners who accept it, and doesn’t help those who mock it.

    It helps everyone because it stops society from becoming communist. Also, I prefer the term ‘poking-fun’ rather than ‘mock.’

    • #9
  10. Midwest Southerner Coolidge
    Midwest Southerner
    @MidwestSoutherner

    I love this post so much, @alliehahn. Like you, I wasn’t really a ‘fan’ of Kanye’s music until Jesus Is King.

    His new album, Donda, is incredibly moving. This article gives a good overview:

    9 Things You Need to Know About Kanye West’s New Album, ‘Donda’

    A quote from the article: 
    “The album is really about having faith in God and overcoming adversity. Kanye speaks on personal struggles and struggles others face. Positive messages that you can turn up to.”

    The lyrics are pretty powerful.

    Thank you for your encouragement to build Kanye up and lift him up in prayer!

    • #10
  11. Allie Hahn Coolidge
    Allie Hahn
    @AllieHahn

    Midwest Southerner (View Comment):

    I love this post so much, @ alliehahn. Like you, I wasn’t really a ‘fan’ of Kanye’s music until Jesus Is King.

    His new album, Donda, is incredibly moving. This article gives a good overview:

    9 Things You Need to Know About Kanye West’s New Album, ‘Donda’

    A quote from the article:
    “The album is really about having faith in God and overcoming adversity. Kanye speaks on personal struggles and struggles others face. Positive messages that you can turn up to.”

    The lyrics are pretty powerful.

    Thank you for your encouragement to build Kanye up and lift him up in prayer!

    Thank you! I started listening to Donda but found it more difficult to connect with than Jesus Is King. I’ll have to read the article and then try again. 

    • #11
  12. Allie Hahn Coolidge
    Allie Hahn
    @AllieHahn

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):

    Well said.

    We should pray not only for new converts, that they be rooted and withstand early trials. We should also pray for people who yet seem completely lost, but by conversion might live in eternal peace and lead others to Christ.

    St Paul, Mary Magdalene, and many other saints seemed lost for many years. And then!

    A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

    Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,

    she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

    When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”

    Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.

    “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.

    Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?”

    Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

    Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

    You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.

    You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.

    So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

    He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

    Great point, and great reminder! Those of us who are believers now were once lost, as well, and where would we be without Christ and His grace? 

    • #12
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