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. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
I recently noticed a “Presidential Prayer Team” magnet displayed prominently on a friend's refrigerator. I later saw they also had a bumper sticker declaring they were a “Praying American.” Given what I knew about this person's political preferences, I wondered whether the magnet and bumper sticker would remain in place after Inauguration Day.
Followers of Jesus are called to be a praying people. In his words to Timothy, the Apostle Paul made it clear that we are to pray for “all those in authority.” Paul didn't instruct him to pray for “just those in authority with whom you agree” or “just those in authority who govern well.” Paul instructed him – and all, I believe who read these words – to pray for everyone in authority.
One of my prayers for our new president is that he be the Prayer-in-Chief. I believe it was Martin Luther who said, “If I don’t spend at least three hours in prayer daily, I would never get my work done.” Sadly, I far too often worry that if I spend more than three minutes praying each day that I won't get my work done.
In Abraham Lincoln – Man of God, John Wesley Hill recounts the following story told by a guest in the Lincoln White House.
“I spent three weeks in the White House with Mr. Lincoln as his guest. One night, it was just after the battle of Bull Run, I was restless and could not sleep. … The hour was past midnight; indeed it was getting near dawn, when I heard low tones proceeding from a private room near where the President slept. The door was partly open. I saw the President kneeling beside an open window. … For a moment I was silent, looking in amazement and wonder. Then he cried out in tones pleading and sorrowful: 'Oh, Thou God that heard Solomon in the night when he prayed for wisdom, hear me and save this nation.' [Then, the guest added]: I think from that time the clouds which had long lain threatening over the affairs of our Government began to roll away. The skies were brighter; the smile of heaven was upon our President; God heard his prayer and sent deliverance.”
Elton Trueblood, in Abraham Lincoln; Theologian of American Anguish, described President Lincoln's prayer life in the following way, “The evidence of Abraham Lincoln's own practice of personal prayer is so abundant that no thoughtful person can deny it. He prayed alone, and he called the nation to prayer; he prayed for guidance, and he prayed in gratitude; he prayed in defeat, and he prayed in victory.”
I pray that President Obama will emulate President Lincoln in this and many ways.
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