Praying for Our President-Elect


First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Paul's First Letter to Timothy

Regardless of your political persuasion, last night was an historic occasion. As a nation, we've just elected a new young leader and the first African-American president in our history. It seems Obama's campaign was won on the promise of change and a new way of doing politics. He now faces some of the most daunting circumstances of any new president. As Christians, we're always called to pray for our leaders. Perhaps now more than ever, I feel that need to pray...to pray God's wisdom be given Obama beyond his years and experience. To pray for discernment in appointing cabinet officials and key leaders. To pray for a sense of timeliness and insight in setting priorities. To pray for his physical health and safety--and that of his family. The burden of leadership can be crushing, and never more than in the current circumstances. So, if you're a praying person, would you join me in lifting Barack Obama before the throne of grace? Scripture commands it and the circumstances necessitate it. Thanks.

2 comments:

Allan Harvey said...

It is also worth noting that (contrary to election-season slander, which unfortunately some Christians participated in) Obama is a professing Christian, so our prayers would be welcome.

Scott McKnight wrote a nice prayer along these lines on his "Jesus Creed" blog:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed/2008/11/a-prayer-for-obama.html

Carl Hofmann said...

Thanks, Allan, for your added insights. I'm heartened by a number of Christian prayer movements undergirding the President-elect right now.