“When Prayer Gets You Arrested” — A Word on Faithfulness and Justice

I want to talk about something that should grieve all of us: My friend Shane Claiborne, along with others, was arrested for praying in the Capitol.

Praying.

Peacefully.

Asking lawmakers to remember the poor, to protect the vulnerable, to live up to the promises of justice.

And yet, those who violently stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021—who broke windows, beat police officers, desecrated sacred space, and threatened elected leaders—are being pardoned. Celebrated, even.

This is not about political sides.

This is about moral clarity.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” (Isaiah 5:20)

When people of peace are punished, while people of violence are empowered, something has gone terribly wrong.

When praying for justice is seen as more dangerous than rioting for power, we are not walking in the way of Jesus.

When we punish prophets and protect insurrectionists, we are not defending freedom—we are denying it.

I thank God for people like Shane, whose love for Jesus shows up in public places, not to dominate, but to kneel.

Not to threaten, but to pray.

They are not trying to take over the world. They are trying to remind us that God cares deeply about the poor, the broken, the overlooked.

We should not be surprised that prayerful resistance leads to arrest.

It happened to Jesus.

It happened to the apostles.

It happened to the prophets.

And yes, it still happens today.

But we must not stay silent. Because the Gospel has never been about power over others. It has always been about love that lays itself down. It has always been about truth spoken with courage—even when it costs something.

So today, I will not condemn. But I will speak plainly:

When we punish peacemakers and protect the proud, we stray far from the heart of God.

But there is still time to turn.

Still time to repent.

Still time to follow the narrow, beautiful way of Jesus.

⸻

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You were arrested for healing. Crucified for truth. And still, You rose with mercy in Your hands.

We lift up all who suffer for standing in Your name,and we ask You to soften hearts that have confused violence for virtue.

Give us clarity.

Give us compassion.

Give us courage.

And let us never call injustice holy.

Amen.