From Pride to Prayer: A Call for Humility

My social media feels like a skittle bag exploded lately. Those on the left celebrating Pride Month. Those on the right posting anti-LGBTQ+ memes and articles. As a conservative Christian, I find it easy to snicker at the funny memes. It’s almost natural for me to treat those on the left as absolute enemies. If I were honest, I might even see them as ontologically deserving of God’s judgment. It’s easy to theologize my way into justifying my categorical dismissal of all people LGBTQ+. They seem beyond grace in their rebellion against their creator.

The Confrontation with Jonah

Then I was confronted with Jonah. Jonah had the same attitude about Nineveh. They were pagans, gentiles, the “other.” They were uncircumcised, violent, openly sinning against the God of the universe. Yet, in some profound mystery, God decided to pay attention to Nineveh. He told Jonah to go and preach—not once, but twice.

Jonah didn’t want to. He ran from God's face. But God’s face was set toward telling the Ninevites of his coming wrath. As a God of justice, their violent and evil ways had reached up to heaven. And the message was, He was going to destroy their city within 40 days.

Then the amazing thing happened. The unexpected thing. The miraculous thing. The people heard this message, believed it, and with contrite hearts repented. They were saved from destruction. Instead of judgment, they received mercy.

A Call to Reflect on the LGBTQ+ Community

So, what does this have to do with the LGBTQ+ community? Pride Month needs to be turned into a time of preaching and prayer. I am by nature no better than “they.” I am by nature an object of wrath, just like the rest. So, what right do I have to think they are beyond saving? How will they turn unless someone speaks of the righteousness of God? How will they repent if we are too busy laughing at memes and not pleading for their souls? How will anything change if we are too afraid to enter into conversations?

According to statista.com, nearly 30% of Americans have never read the Bible. Another 20% only open it once or twice a year. We live in an increasingly post-Christian America. As American Christians must not assume that those celebrating Pride Month actually know anything about the God of justice and mercy we believe in and serve.

Advocating for a Humble Christianity

I am not advocating a faith that preaches a simplistic and incorrect message of, “Jesus loves you, continue in your lawlessness.” But, I am advocating for a Christianity that understands we were once Ninevites.   We were once gentiles and enemies of God. We must not forget Ephesians 2. "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath." (Eph 2:3) Without someone telling us of God’s justice and mercy, we would have continued on our road to destruction. "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." (Eph 2:4–5)

I am advocating a humble Christianity that says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (1 Tim 1:15) It is sinful to snicker with self pride during Pride Month. It is sinful to harden our hearts and refuse to pray for and share the gospel with even our enemies.

Jesus and the "Unsaveable"

Jesus challenged norms by routinely saving the “unsaveable.” He did it with Zacchaeus, stunned the disciples by saving the woman at the well, and amazed them with the woman caught in adultery. He even converted Saul. God loves to get glory by saving the unsavable.

So, who have we written off as unsaveable? Who have we prejudiced our hearts against, assuming God could never save “them”? Who have we deemed unworthy of His mercy?

A Call to Repent and Pray

Who will join me in repenting of pride and praying for those ensnared in sin?