So how do we go about praying for "kings and all those in authority" as the Apostle Paul wrote in the second chapter of his first epistle to Timothy? Do we pray for Barack Obama differently than we did for George W. Bush? I've heard prayers offered from pulpits that simply go something like Lord, we pray for the leaders of our nation and all those in authority, and I've heard Lord, we pray that all those in authority submit to Thy Lordship in all their decisions. The full verse is Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
John Calvin wrote that in prayers and supplications we are to "pour out our desires before God, asking as well those things which tend to promote His glory and display His name, as the benefits which contribute to our advantage." As for our living in godliness and reverence, Calvin applies that to the church being under their "protection and guardianship" of kings and authorities. My concern for George W. Bush was for discernment for a professing born again Christian whose church involvement, reading of Christian literary works and knowledge of the church's history and doctrines was probably severely limited. I prayed for discernment under such circumstances. I prayed for strength for him in that he might depend on God's protection as he was thrust into a situation of war that he could not have foreseen.
Barack Obama is different in that his true religious faith is buried in a life where political appearances seems to dictate all pronouncements. The statements that he has made show little or no familiarity with the gospel. So, my particular prayer for him is God's mercy unto salvation as had been extended to one once every bit as lost and confused...me.
With President Bush, I prayed for a sound mind as he experienced an attack upon the people he was commissioned to defend, and this while many in his own country worked against his efforts. With President Obama it is similar and different. I do pray for a sound mind, not in his machinations of socialism, but in what might be ahead, for his lack of wisdom now may lead to tribulations far more unnerving than even President Bush experienced. My prayer is that should he be thrust into chaos where the safety of America has been compromised, that he would put aside all political concerns particularly the often mentioned Democratic theorem never let a good crisis go to waste.
This is not meant as humor or sarcasm, but I pray that he retire from his office in 31 months, having failed in most of his agendas but succeeded in leading our armed forces if necessary in protecting our nation. I pray that he might keep the respect of his children and those who truly love him as a person. Calvin goes on in depth about being obedient to the authority of a ruler, even if he be wicked for the respect is in the office and that the wickedness is not to be cloaked with this same respect. Long ago the Israelites asked for a king like the other nations and were warned what kings could do to them.
We in America, asked for a President, and for good or for bad, we have them. The authority that we live under, that we demanded, also comes under the auspices of a constitution. To rebel against it must also come under the same condemnation as rebelling against a human authority! We have a constitution that has given us a president. It has also given us freedom of speech. To separate the office of President from the Bill Of Rights is not submitting justly to authority. To resist the authorities in power apart from the ballot box and other rights we are given is also, and equally, not committing to authority.
John Calvin wrote that in prayers and supplications we are to "pour out our desires before God, asking as well those things which tend to promote His glory and display His name, as the benefits which contribute to our advantage." As for our living in godliness and reverence, Calvin applies that to the church being under their "protection and guardianship" of kings and authorities. My concern for George W. Bush was for discernment for a professing born again Christian whose church involvement, reading of Christian literary works and knowledge of the church's history and doctrines was probably severely limited. I prayed for discernment under such circumstances. I prayed for strength for him in that he might depend on God's protection as he was thrust into a situation of war that he could not have foreseen.
Barack Obama is different in that his true religious faith is buried in a life where political appearances seems to dictate all pronouncements. The statements that he has made show little or no familiarity with the gospel. So, my particular prayer for him is God's mercy unto salvation as had been extended to one once every bit as lost and confused...me.
With President Bush, I prayed for a sound mind as he experienced an attack upon the people he was commissioned to defend, and this while many in his own country worked against his efforts. With President Obama it is similar and different. I do pray for a sound mind, not in his machinations of socialism, but in what might be ahead, for his lack of wisdom now may lead to tribulations far more unnerving than even President Bush experienced. My prayer is that should he be thrust into chaos where the safety of America has been compromised, that he would put aside all political concerns particularly the often mentioned Democratic theorem never let a good crisis go to waste.
This is not meant as humor or sarcasm, but I pray that he retire from his office in 31 months, having failed in most of his agendas but succeeded in leading our armed forces if necessary in protecting our nation. I pray that he might keep the respect of his children and those who truly love him as a person. Calvin goes on in depth about being obedient to the authority of a ruler, even if he be wicked for the respect is in the office and that the wickedness is not to be cloaked with this same respect. Long ago the Israelites asked for a king like the other nations and were warned what kings could do to them.
We in America, asked for a President, and for good or for bad, we have them. The authority that we live under, that we demanded, also comes under the auspices of a constitution. To rebel against it must also come under the same condemnation as rebelling against a human authority! We have a constitution that has given us a president. It has also given us freedom of speech. To separate the office of President from the Bill Of Rights is not submitting justly to authority. To resist the authorities in power apart from the ballot box and other rights we are given is also, and equally, not committing to authority.
