Our President

Written by Tim MacGowan

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV

As I awakened today to learn of Barack Obama’s victory in the presidential election, I confess I had mixed feelings. I read a post by Lee Grady that was helpful to me. He exhorted Christians to pray for some specific things for our new President. I am going to paraphrase and consolidate some of his points.

View the full article at charismamag.com.

We need to pray for:

• Protection for President-elect Obama, his wife and children

  I can’t imagine living under such public scrutiny, not to mention the spiritual warfare

• Humility and godly wisdom to fill him and the other leaders he will choose

  The opportunity to be intoxicated by power is undeniably real

• Opportunities for real and lasting racial reconciliation

  The racial divide in our country is real but God makes healing possible

• That our new President will adopt pro-life convictions

  God is able to change hearts

Proverbs 29:2 says that “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice : but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.” It is a good thing for us to pray that he will grow in his understanding of righteousness and godliness in Christ so that we may all rejoice. Christians are charged to pray for our leaders, not to tear them apart and take glee in waiting for their failures. We should continue to work for godly changes in our laws and policies while bearing in mind that we are first and foremost citizens of God’s kingdom.

Finally, please remember we are not to put our ultimate trust in any president, leader or government, but in God alone.

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.”
(Psalm 146:3)