Duane T. Kay, Senior Pastor of The First Baptist Church of North Brentwood, MD, delivered an impassioned prayer on behalf of federal employees. The Department of Government Efficiency has dramatically changed hiring practices within the government, and many government workers have lost their jobs. Online reception was decidedly negative, with many making fun of the woke pastor.
“Federal workers, all those who are federal workers, those who [are] … connected to the government. I want you to come on down because if anybody knows that it’s praying time, you should know that it’s praying time,” he said in an impassioned but grammatically flawed alter call. “Father, even when policies have been adverse to our community, even when legislation hadn’t gone our way, even when folk looked at us, God, and said, we only think that you’re three-fifths of a person. God, we’re so grateful that you heard the cry of our ancestors.”
“We’re so grateful, God, that in the midst of hatred and persecution, in the midst of oppression and systemic racism. God, you smiled on us anyhow,” he added. ” You blessed us anyhow. God, you kept us anyhow. And we are here, God, because of who you are and all that you’ve done for us. And so God, even as we come, we thank you for Jesus, who is our Redeemer and our Lord.”
“We come to hold up the blood stain banner. We come to God because we know that we are victorious in and through Jesus. We are the redeemed of the Lord. And we know, Lord God, that no weapon formed against us shall prosper,” Duane T. Kay theatrically added. ” Yes, God, weapons are forming against our federal workers. Yes, weapons are forming against our independent contractors. Yes, weapons are formed against… those who are connected to government employment.”
“But God, we stand on your word and the promise of your word. This isn’t our ideology. This is our theology. God. We stand on your word that promises that the weapon, while it may form, is not going to prosper,” he said. ” So cover your people. God, in every government office, cover your people. Lord God, in every independent contracting situation, cover your people.”
“Lord God, where there’s anxiety and fear of wondering if they’re going to have a job at the end of the week. God, I pray that you will cover your people and that, as they are the anointed, no harm will come to your children,” Kay concluded. “God bless their finances, Lord. God bless their homes. Bless their well-being [and] their welfare. God, we pray that you’ll do it all in the wonderful and great name of Your Son, Jesus.”
“Dr. Kay earned the Doctor of Ministry degree, in May 2011, at the Wesley Theological Seminary, with a concentration in Missional Evangelism,” his website explains. ” His thesis, “Speaking Truth to Power: The Practice of Advocacy,” addressed the church’s historic and current roles in prophetically confronting oppressive policies and practices that shackle communities. He is also a 2024 graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.”
Watch His Theatrical Prayer Here:
Online commentators were quick to mock the over-the-top prayer. “It’s always the satereotypical Southern Baptist preacher when they (progressive politicians and preachers) try to get people riled up. It’s cliche and overplayed…..and telling of how disingenuous they are,” one user said. “Why does he sound like a 19 year old who hasn’t hit puberty,” another humorously noted.
Featured Image From Embedded Video