HOW TO PRAY FOR OUR PRESIDENT
We are all fascinated every four
years as a phenomenon that is unique in the annals of world history takes place:
the Inauguration of the President of the United States of America. As T.V. sets around the world are tuned in,
hundreds of millions of people watch this grand example of a truly free nation
at its best. No matter which political party has won at the ballot, all of us
watch to see the spectacle and ceremony of freedom in action.
The significance of this act,
however, goes beyond the event itself as the new president settles down to
administer the government of the country.
With the tremendous changes in world order…nations in upheaval,
governments toppling, terrorists striking out slaughtering men, women and children
for selfish causes, natural disasters occurring killing tens of thousands of
people, starvation and disease spreading in third world countries, our
president finds himself in a position of being able, in some degree, to
influence the course of the world for the future. Not since the era of the Alexandrian and the Roman empires has one country and its one leader had
such tremendous power for changing world politics. Can one man be a match for the personal
responsibility which lies before him?
Will he be a success or a failure?
Whose fault will it be if he fails?
What we will seek to better understand is the degree of our
responsibility for his success or failure, not as the world sees it but as God
desires it to be. The question at hand:
How do we pray for our president?
I. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE
PRESIDENT
Whether he be president, prime minister or king, the Bible
says that the people are to be involved in his life through submission,
support, encouragement and prayer…he is a minister of God for this particular
time.
A. 1 Timothy
2:1-2
1.
First things first
Notice that Paul ’s
direction is not pray as a second thought or when things are in turmoil, but “First
of all…then, I urge that entreaties
and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil
and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
2.
What kind of prayers
a.
Entreaties – “to make an earnest request of or for
someone…to ask urgently.”
b.
Prayers – (legal terminology) “a request that the court
will grant the aid sought.”
c.
Petition – “a formal request addressed to God on behalf
of another.”
d.
Thanksgiving – “a celebration in recognition of divine
favor.”
3.
For Whom do we pray
The people of God are instructed to pray for all men, but
especially for those who are in authority…”in
order that we all may live in peace and tranquility in all godliness and dignity”
(2b).
B. Psalm 75:5-7
“Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched
neck. No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one
down, he exalts another.”
God is the One who puts all men into places of authority. Do we really believe this? We better for His Word established this
fact. We need to take care what we say
about the anointed of God. Speak against
unjust policies, but take care of speaking ill against the person.
C. Daniel 4:17
In the process of interpreting King
Nebuchadnezzer ’s dream, Daniel reminds the king that it is God who is ruler
over the realm of man-kind. “The Most High” is the One who gives
authority to “whom He wishes.” Sometimes He even places a very lowly man in
that place.
D. Romans 13:1-7
II. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS NATION RESTS IN THE PEOPLE
The Constitution of the United States
A. The People Can Move the Hand of God
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If ... My people who
are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and
will heal their land.”
By our devotion to prayer, confession, and submission to
God’s established authority on earth, we will see the hand of God move and
change the life of that authority. He
will either change the heart of the man or he will remove the man.
B. Voting and Praying
Many people believe that their responsibility ends with
voting. However, voting is not the beginning.
It is secondary and must be wrapped in prayer. It is not voting or praying, but voting and praying.
III. TEN REQUESTS FOR OUR PRESIDENT
PRAY:
1.
That he would realize his personal sinfulness and his
daily need of the cleansing power of Jesus Christ .
2.
That he would recognize his personal inadequacy to
fulfill his task and that he must depend upon God for wisdom and knowledge and
understanding and the courage to do what he knows is right.
3. That
he would reject all counsel that violates spiritual principles and then to
trust God to prove him right. (Really tough)
4.
That he would resist those who would pressure him to
violate his God directed conscience.
5.
That by the power of God he would reverse the trends of
humanism and socialism in this nation which deify man rather than God.
6.
That he would be ready to reject his personal ambition
and his political career if to do so would be to the best interest of this
country. (Very hard)
7.
That he would rely upon prayer and the Word of God as
his source of strength and courage and wisdom for his daily decisions.
8.
That he would maintain dignity, honor, trust and
righteousness in the office of the presidency.
9.
That he would remember to be a good example in his
conduct to the fathers and sons of this nation.
And, lastly:
10. That
he would be reminded daily that he is directly accountable to God for his
position, for the way he handles himself, for the decisions he makes that will
influence not only the present day, but the future of our nation and in some
degree, the future of the whole world. And, that if he does not he will be removed from office by
the One who put him there.
[i] Stanley, Charles, 1992,
How to Pray for the President, Atlanta, GA: First Baptist Church,
(Adapted)
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