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I had a most unusual dream last night. I dreamed Iwent for a walk and I
just happened to meet President Obama. He was alone, and so was I. We
exchanged polite greetings as I might have upon meeting anyone else that
I didn’t know. But as he turned to go I said, “Mr. President, I want
you to know that I will be praying for you. I will be praying that God
will protect you and your family, that God will richly bless you, and
that God will give you strength and wisdom to lead our nation.” He
thanked me, shook my hand, and left.
That’s it. That’s the whole dream. But what makes it so unusual is
that I am not a big fan of the President. In fact, I disagree with many
of his decisions, appointments and programs. Many of his views do not
square with my more conservative ideas.
It was easier for me to pray for the previous President. George Bush
was far from perfect. Some of his decisions were poorly made and have
had far reaching negative consequences. But I liked his views on things
like the sanctity of marriage, gays in the military and the selection of
Supreme Court judges. I appreciated what he said about the place
Christ has in his life. Maybe I found him easy to pray for because I
viewed him as a conservative Christian and I hoped that God would guide
him and make him a good example of faith.
I awoke from my dream and said a prayer for President Obama. Not a
prayer that God would change his views or that he would lose the next
election, but that God would protect him, guide him, bless him and give
him wisdom.
The early Christians were under the rule of Roman Emperors that were not
favorable toward their Christian views. And yet Saint Paul wrote “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.” (1st Timothy
2:1-3).
There is a natural tendency to give thanks for those we like and to pray
for God to change those we don’t. But we are to give thanksgiving for
those in authority even if we don’t agree with them. Instead of praying
that they will change their view or be removed from office, we should
pray that they will be drawn closer to God and that God will guide their
decisions.
Speaking of rulers here on earth, the Bible says God “brings one down,
he exalts another.” (Psalm 75:7). The Prophet Daniel wrote, “"Praise
be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He
changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.” (Daniel
2:20-21). And in the New Testament it says, “He (God) has brought down
rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” (Luke 1:52).
Bible believers who read these verses may give a sigh of relief that God
has power to remove presidents. But perhaps the real lesson of these
verses is that our elected officials are in power because God allowed
it. We may or may not agree with our President’s positions or
decisions, but we still ought to pray for him.
God can guide an earthly ruler even if he is not seeking his guidance.
Cyrus the Great ruled Persia in the sixth century BC. At the beginning
of his reign the Jews were captives in Babylonia, but during his reign
he encouraged them to move back to their native land. The Bible says
that Cyrus would do what God wanted even though he did not acknowledge
God. (See Isaiah 48:28 and 45:5)
We should pray for our president whoever it might be – prayers for
guidance, protection and a close relationship with God. We should
remain true to our principles by voting and working for Christian
values. But when things in government are not as we think they ought to
be we are to remain positive, give thanks that God is still in charge,
and pray for those who lead us.
Paul Jetter, Upper Valley Community Church |
