I don’t talk a lot about politics on my blog or in my life. Honestly, I am not a fan of either political party, they both seriously get on my nerves whenever I think about them. Please don’t get me wrong, just because I don’t talk about it doesn’t mean I don’t care about politics. I just choose not to obsess over it, especially in this phase our nations history because I believe there are much more pressing things to deal with.
Politics is important to me because it involves policies and policies, ultimately, impact people. We have no choice: we must be engaged in our civic responsibilities and affairs.
Let me be clear, I am a staunch independent, I have voted on both sides of the aisle. When it comes to political parties I try to urge people to not be fooled, swayed and seduced by the powers to be. That being said I was reminded of a conversation I had with a friend over coffee a few months back. As we sat across from each other he was telling me of his upcoming missions trip to a undisclosed place we began to talk about things that we were praying for in our lives and how we could be praying for each other. He revealed that he was recently struggling with the dialogue of Christians towards our president. He asked me this question:
I wonder what would happen if we prayed for the President just as much as we complain and blame him for all our problems?
This conversation was months ago but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I honestly can not fathom the burden and weight of his job and the ‘calling’ of the Presidency. In many ways, we ought to commend the courage of all those who step into leadership – on any level – including but not limited to the highest level. We can criticize all we want about our current presidential candidates, but we must acknowledge them for their courage to be in such vulnerable positions.
You see, it doesn’t matter what your political leanings, affiliations, and affections may be. I’m always amazed by those who would quote 1 Timothy 2:1-4 as an encouragement to pray for our leaders but we hesitate when it’s someone we disagree with and instead start quoting Psalm 109:8
“May his days be few; and let another take his office.”
(Side note: I honestly might scream the next time I see this out of context bumper sticker in reference to our president, but I digress.)
Here is what I know, President Barack Obama is:
- a husband
- a daddy
- our President
- proclaimed Christian (only God knows his heart)
- a representative of a people group (African Americans)
- [arguably] the most influential and powerful man on earth
- a human
You may agree or disagree with his policies and/or decisions. You may be a Republican, Democrat, Tea Party or Coffee Party, but it doesn’t matter. The next time you find yourself complaining about him or preparing to slam a policy please lift a prayer for him. His marriage, his daughters, family, strength, conviction, courage, wisdom, safety, and peace.
So wait just a minute. Simply because he is the president of the united states and all the other things, that does not give me the intellectual ability to look at a decision he makes, or a stance he takes as biblically wrong?
It’s like people I’ve heard who are like, “I don’t believe your Christianity has anything to do with how you vote.” What kind of sense does that make?
Don’t get me wrong, both political parties have had some bad people and still do. But to say he should not be held accountable for the decisions and choices he has made that has affected a nation is wrong in my opinion.
And true, no one is perfect on this earth, and we should pray for those whom we do not see eye to eye with and ask God’s grace and understanding over them. But I’m not perfect and it’s hard for me to ask those things be given to man I totally disagree with. Just my thoughts.
Matt,
I’m not saying that you should not criticize our president (unless you don’t vote, then you really shouldn’t), or take a stance against something that he does that is Biblically wrong. As a matter of fact according to Romans 13 we would be remise if we chose to do anything but participate in our government. This is one of the many concepts our country was built on.
Additionally, I fully agree with you, that your faith should drive not only your vote but your whole life. What I am trying to say is that we as Christ followers focus so much on our own political leanings, while complaining about the other side and not enough time on our knees for a husband, father, and our President.
Like anyone, I disagree with some of the decisions our President has made but my goal is to focus us on praying for our leaders instead of wishing for his death (cf. Psalm 109).
Amen, Jon! I am convicted to pray for our President. Thanks .
Love your blog! Keep up the good work. 🙂
jordan
I agree with Matt. You don’t get a pass just because of you office. If anything you will be and should be judged more heavily. However, you are absolutely correct we need to pray for all our elected officials. That God gives them them strength and conviction to lead as he would have them too, regardless of whether I like them or not. As a Christian I believe it is our responsibility in regards to politics to fight injustice every way we can, pray about how we should vote, vote, and pray for the elected whoever they end up being. However, I do not think that Psalm 109 is really out of context. First and foremost we should pray that God use him as tool for his glory, and that he would make godly, wise, and moral decisions, but if he doesn’t that God would replace him with someone who does, and lastly pray that God never actually gives us the leader we deserve because we saw the devastation on ancient Israel when they got the leaders they deserved. Now I do not use Psalm 109 as a hateful message as some intend but as an honest cry out to God to give us a godly leader, either by making the one we have be him or replacing him with someone who will be.