Pray for our Leaders

1Timothy 2:1-2

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 godliness and holiness.

A Clergy’s Point of View

Clergy people are reprimanded for mixing religion and politics. But, this is a temporary limitation which will end as soon as the President Elect takes office. So, please consider this message to be a message of spiritual guidance about the state of the country following the election and the concerns, and anxiety that many people are feeling and who are expressing their upset in the form of protesting and violence.

Tell me, please, what is with all of the violence? I understand protesting and wanting your voice to be heard. But, really, why are people being so violent over the loss of the candidate who they wanted to win? 

Facebook Posts

I point you to a Facebook post that I wrote soon after the election. After seeing and hearing all the violent reaction because the election did not go their way I felt compelled to write the following:

"Don't people know that God is the one who decides who is elected? Sure, we all get out and vote, but at the end of the race, God wins. Sometimes, we look at life from our own set of circumstances. When God speaks in our lives, we listen. We are not the only ones in his grasp. Perhaps God is working to open the eyes of the people. Perhaps it is President Elect Trump's time to learn and to grow through God's grace and direction. Let me tell you, most of the time the person I voted for does not win. I accept that. It was a race and someone had to win. Once the winner is claimed, I settle myself down and get behind the winner because that winner is the one God wanted to win regardless of what I think or want. Now is the time to pray hard and ask God to hold the new president in his hands and direct him the same as he directs us all. Things will be alright. God will make sure of it. If you believe in God, then you know the race ended exactly as he wanted it to end. To the protesters... stop protesting. It's done. To the people who are sad... stop being sad. Start letting Mr. Trump know what you want. Write letters. Send email. Tweet him. Get your message to the president in a way that is civilized and respectful. He will respond to you. I know because whenever I send a letter to Mr. Trump he (or someone at his office) responds."

I received multiple responses, all positive. Here are a few responses. I share two that represent the general response received from Facebook friends:

M. G. wrote:

Interesting that in the Old Testament God used secular kings to confront His chosen people, even heroes of the faith! God is sovereign, good, and cares about every detail of our lives.”

A. N. wrote:

“Beautifully stated, Marlene Bass Bertrand! We have to learn and be humble to accept and respect that majority of people had elected the new president. Don’t let the REAL DEVIL get the best of us because he loves to bring destruction to God’s children. I love C. S. Lewis’s book, The Screwtype Letters. Here is a powerful reminder for us:

My Dear Wormwood,

Be sure that the patient remains completely fixated on politics. Arguments, political gossip, and obsessing on the faults of people they have never met serves as an excellent distraction from advancing in personal virtue, character, and the things the patient can control. Make sure to keep the patient in a constant state of angst, frustration and general disdain towards the rest of the human race in order to avoid any kind of charity or inner peace from further developing. Ensure that the patient continues to believe that the problem is “out there” in the “broken system” rather than recognizing there is a problem with himself.”

Pray for Our Leaders

1 Timothy 2:1-2 urges us to pray for our leaders. Whether we like who the newly elected president is or not, at noon on January 20, 2017 Donald John Trump will become the leader of the free country of America. As Christians, our duty is to lift him up to the Lord and pray faithfully that the Lord will guide him through his term as the president.

I urge everyone to get behind Mr. Trump and pray for the Lord to guide this country in a way that helps us all become safe, healthy, and prosperous.

In Jesus’ name we pray.