Eight days removed from last week’s presidential election, questions and controversy continue to swirl and simmer in America’s political world.
While television networks have projected former Vice-President Joe Biden president-elect, President Trump and his campaign have filed numerous lawsuits in key battleground states alleging widespread voter fraud.
It’s likely that many of these matters won’t be resolved for several weeks, though as states begin certifying results and the Electoral College vote looms in early December, resolution remains on the not too distant horizon.
In the meantime, what are we to do?
Pray!
Pray for Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
The Scriptures are clear that we’re to pray for our leaders, regardless of party or position.
It was the Apostle Paul who urged citizens to offer “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings … for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:1).
But I love the rationale he offered for doing so – “… that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:2-4).
In other words, by praying for those in authority over us, our prayers and petitions are not just benefiting them – but we’re inviting God to bless us.
It’s not easy to pray for someone you don’t like – or someone who you feel is dangerous and an anathema to the Christian faith.
But pray for them anyway.
“Honor everyone,” wrote Peter. “Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).
Writing to believers in Rome who were under constant threat of persecution, Paul wrote, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1).
Both Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden are carrying significant burdens. It may sound like a cliché to say the weight of the world is on their backs, but the complexities and challenges facing us remain heady and substantial.
Regardless of your party or partisan loyalties, I hope you will join me in praying for both of these men and their families.
Pray for truth and justice.
Pray for wisdom and discernment.
Pray for insight and perspective.
Pray that they will seek the Lord and honor His principles as they navigate these next weeks and months.
Prayer changes things. It changes people.
It can change countries.
In May of 1776, in the midst of the Revolutionary War, with the prospect of a fledgling nation hanging by a thread, General George Washington urged his troops and the nation to pray and fast. They were being outgunned, outmanned and outmaneuvered.
By late summer, the American troops found themselves trapped on Brooklyn Heights in New York. Defeat at the hands of the British seemed inevitable. Escape provided their only chance of survival, but they were surrounded.
Washington and his men prayed.
By morning, a thick fog had settled over the East River, allowing the troops to escape across to Manhattan Island. Had it not been for the fog, the American troops would have been captured and George Washington hanged. The American Revolution would have been lost.
Metaphorically, fog is often portrayed as a handicap, a phenomenon that blocks our view and confuses the way forward. But God uses all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28), so I remain hopeful that He is using the political fog of today in some way to shape and mold us for His purposes tomorrow.
Thank you for lifting America and Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden up in prayer.
Photo from Alex Gakos / Shutterstock.com
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Dennis Kerr says
– We must pray for the well being of Donald Trump.
He is not actually a fellow Christian like us, so let’s start with praying for his salvation.
We should have been praying for this before he ever considered running for president. If this casino operator can repent and do a u-turn, this will have a very meaningful result for everyone in the world.
Jill Huerter says
– Good reminder! Thank you!
Regina Deaton says
-Praying for all of our leaders foreign and domestic. In Jesus name
Donna says
-Please explain to me how people I know who love the Lord can vote for someone who believes in killing babies. Just makes me want to cry. Which I have been doing a lot.
Murray J. Clark says
-Paul and Jim — I’m afraid your oft-denied bias is clearly obvious. It’s not a question of the “networks projecting Joe Biden as president-elect.” He won, plain and simple!