First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority…
(1 Timothy 2:1-2 – NET)
In the United States of America, on January 19, 2009, we celebrated the life, legacy, and longing of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In his famous “I have a dream” speech, Rev. King said that his dream was that one day men would be judged, not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
Now, on January 20, 2009, at least in one very important sense, the day has come.
We may not agree that this man, Barack Obama, this man of color, this man the people have freely chosen, has the character we think a President ought to have, but we also can see that his color did not hold him back from being elected to the highest office in the land. We may not agree in theology or politics, but we can all agree that it is a step in the right direction, for a man of a different color than all the Presidents before has been chosen to serve.
Here is my prayer for our new President.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that your truth is still as valid today as ever. Your Word says that “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1). We know that you can do impossible things, O God! Our prayer is that through this man, through these times, your righteousness would prevail. May your righteousness prevail upon his life for his salvation. May your righteousness prevail in his work, for his administration and stewardship. May your righteousness prevail in his family. May your righteousness prevail for our country, in its policies, pronouncements, and decisions. May your righteousness prevail that our President would stand for what is right, and for those who cannot defend themselves, including the unborn. May your righteousness prevail that our President would influence others toward right thinking and action, with all wisdom and prudence. May your righteousness prevail upon him so he would be an example of what righteousness truly is, and as a witness to God’s righteousness. May your righteousness prevail that it might be seen of all men, through this man, for your glory, O God.
We pray that you would protect President Obama during the Inauguration and in the following days and years as he leads the United States of America, and as an example to the world. Lord, we pray that you would bless us, not simply by sanctioning our choices, but rather that you would stir our hearts and steer our paths. This we ask that your name would be glorified, your Word would be magnified, your people would be edified, and your kingdom be multiplied. May your righteousness prevail for your glory, O God. This we ask in Jesus name, amen.
5 comments:
Good thoughts JD. I asked a good pastor friend of mine, Roscoe, who is black, how he felt about the Obamas being the first black family in the White House.
Roscoe is in his 60's and grew up in North Carolina, and he said he never thought it would have happened in his life time. And that the fact that a black is there, is a joy, but the joy ends with that.
And what a fine prayer. I pray it with you. Amen.
Amen! This is an excellent prayer and indeed where the heart of all Christians should be in this matter.
Thanks...I do hope more people who have and will see this prayer will pray it...
Amen!
As Christians we need to remember to pray for our leaders; and for the salvation of our new president.
I do not agree with the politics of our new president but he is our new leader.
God can handle leaders we just need to be righteous and prayerful.
Some wisdom from Daniel:
Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter."
Dan 2:20-23)
Good stuff, T!
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