We Do Not Trust In Presidents We Pray For Them
Seven years ago I was speaking at one of our historic churches in Detroit that is primarily an African America congregation. I attended the early morning prayer meeting with several older leaders of the church. After the meeting one of the men asked me a question that I believe is relevant for today, “Why do white Christians hate our president?” I paused and thought for a moment, as I was honored that they felt comfortable enough to ask me the question, and then replied, “First, he is my president too, not just yours. Second, I am instructed through the scriptures to pray for him whether I agree with all his policies or not (I Timothy 2:1-8). Third, I believe he is a Christian as he made it very clear in an interview with Christianity Today and I personally know trusted Christian leaders, black and white, who have heard him verbally, testify to his faith in Jesus Christ and confirm it.
Friends, as followers of Jesus we do not trust in presidents, we pray for them. Presidents will not make or break our country. The lack of God’s people praying for our President is what will make or break our country. The lack of God’s people praying for the gospel to go forward in our country is what will make or break our country.
This election has generated a lot of pain, fear and anger. May we as followers of Jesus live holy, humbly and prayerfully as the scripture calls us:
“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. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. (I Timothy 2:1-8)
