Pray for our President

The RNC has dominated the news this week, and the DNC will begin in just a few days. We are facing an important election in November with significant issues at stake, regardless of whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent.  It seems our country is largely dissatisfied with the political landscape and we are ready for a change.  The two major parties have chosen their candidates and both will be official by next week.  Even so, there is dissatisfaction in both major parties over the chosen candidates.

My Twitter and Facebook feeds are full of political rants, insults of candidates, insults of those who oppose our candidates, and expressions of concern over the state of our nation.  I’ve had conversations with many friends who are so disgusted with the choice of candidates, they are contemplating not even voting in November.  I admit, I have been a participant in some of the posts and conversations.

This afternoon, I was watching a class lecture on 1 Timothy (yes, Mr. Trump, you can say it that way) by Dr. Mark Yarbrough, one of my professors at DTS, and he made a comment that resonated in my mind and heart.  At the beginning of chapter 2, Paul writes, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people --- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” (NIV) Dr. Yarbrough then observed, and I paraphrase, “What would our nation be like if the church were to pray for our president instead of making fun of him when he does something we disagree with?”

That landed hard in my heart. I have not prayed for President Obama, Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton; at least not in the way Paul urges the church to pray in 1 Timothy. My natural inclination is to criticize, complain and worry over what our government is doing.  We can disagree with our leaders, and I believe we have a responsibility to hold them accountable for the good of our nation. But what would it look like if we prayed for our leaders to seek after God and to act in accordance with his guidance?

I encourage everyone to exercise your right to vote in November.  Ask God for wisdom in casting your vote, and don’t sit this one out just because you don’t like the candidates.  Choose which you think is the better candidate, even though they might not align with your ideals.  And pray for our president, and for those who are in position to take his place next January.  Pray that God will work mightily in their hearts that they will seek his face. This is good, and is pleasing to God.