Like many of you, I am frustrated
with the current political climate. This election cycle has been, and continues
to be, full of negative campaigns, name calling, scandals, and a lack of
respect on both sides. That being said, one thing I know for sure, God is in
control. Regardless of the results of the upcoming election, God is sovereign
and in the end, He will set all things to right. Also, let me remind you of the
words of 1 Peter 2:17, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor
the emperor.”
I reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:1-3, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we
may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This
is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.” When
Paul wrote these instructions, Nero was the Emperor. Nero was a persecutor of
Christians and nevertheless, Christians were told to pray for him. Regardless
of who is president now, or in the future, it is important for us to pray for
them. So how do we do that? Let me make a few suggestions of how we can pray
for our president regardless of our political affiliation.
1. I am praying for our President to have wisdom. As
Solomon prayed for wisdom in 1 Kings 3, I am praying for our President to have
wisdom from God. The President needs wisdom to govern, to lead, and to inspire.
True wisdom comes from God and I praying our President seeks the will of God in
all things.
2. I am praying for wise advisors. Proverbs 24:6 says
there is victory in the multitude of wise counselors.
a. I am praying for those that would advise toward evil
or foolishness to be removed. Proverbs 25:5 says,
“take away the wicked from the presence of
the king, and his throne will be
established in righteousness.
b. I am praying for God to raise up men and women like
Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and Nehemiah. Men and women who love the Lord more than
their political agenda. Men and women who fear God more than man.
3. I am praying for the President’s family. All of us
know that what happens in our homes greatly effects what happens in our jobs. I
am praying the President has a strong marriage, a spouse that loves the Lord, loving
children, and unity based on trust and faith. I am praying for their health and
their safety.
4. I am praying for the President to have humility. Thomas Jefferson once said, “I tremble for my country when
I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.” A wise
President knows that they are only human and not divine. They understand that
there is a day of judgment for all.
5. I am praying for the President to seek what is
righteous and just. Romans 13 says that the primary function of government is
to reward those that do good and punish those that do evil. I pray the President
understands what is right in the eyes of God, and what it means to bring about justice.
Furthermore, I am praying that our President seeks to keep our nation, and the
whole world, safe.
6. I am praying for the President to have the courage to
do what is right. We live in an age that is directed by opinion polls and
negative feedback. I am praying that our President will listen less to what
people seem to want, and rather will seek to do the right thing regardless of
public opinion.
7. I am praying for the President to be quick to listen,
slow speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). I pray the President is
quick to listen to the Lord, to wise counselors, and to those that disagree
with their policies. I pray the President is slow to say words that cannot be
taken back. That his/her words would not be malicious, untrue, or spoken
without forethought. I am praying for the President to control his/her temper.
There are things that should make us angry, but we are not to allow anger to
control us.
I love our country, I served our country, and would
again. Because of that, I am praying. These are just a few things I am praying
about in regards to our current and future President. Will you join me in these
prayers?
