Although this post will not appear on my website until February 1st, 2025, I am writing it almost 10 days earlier, on January 20th, as we celebrate both Martin Luther King, Jr. today and observe the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as our 47th President.
Regardless of your politics, I want to encourage you to pray for our political leaders (at all levels). This is biblical, as the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to pray for all people, including their leaders. He wrote, “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (see 1 Timothy 2:1-4, NLT). In his letter to the Romans, Paul also said, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God” (Romans 13:1, NLT). Therefore, it does not matter who you voted for (or not), we are commanded to pray for our leaders.
I take prayer—and the power of prayer—very seriously and have tried to remember Paul’s words by praying for our various Presidents as far back as I can remember. I figure if anyone needs prayer, it’s the person in the Oval Office! And yes, as you can see from the photo, I had the privilege of actually meeting President Trump over five years ago (during his first term as President), and he gave me a great honor by allowing me to pray with him and for him.
And yet I want to say something very important about praying for our leadership. I echo the words of other Christian leaders and pastors who have wisely stated recently that the person in the White House, regardless of who that might be, will NOT save us. Another election will not solve our problems. And a new administration in Washington, DC will not affect any lasting change until we, the Body of Christ, first change ourselves. Then, and only then, can we change the nation.
I appreciate the teaching from Pastor Allen Jackson, of World Outreach Church in Tennessee, who has stated that we will not see godly changes from the White House until we first make godly changes in our own house! It starts with me and you, at home, around the kitchen table, with our loved ones and our children. We cannot cast our vote on election day and then go back to ungodly habits and routines, expecting the new Mayor or Governor or Senator or President (or whoever we voted for) to fix everything and usher God back into our country. It doesn’t work that way. It has to start with me. It has to start with you. You and I need to honor God in our own lives and then pray that our Lord will guide our leaders to do the same!
So, what are you doing to welcome God into your life, home, work, neighborhood, or community? Those we elect are typically a reflection of our culture and nation as a whole, so we—the Church—must stand up and lead by example.
Donald Trump is now my President, but he is not my Savior. I already have one of those! My Savior is Jesus, and He is currently seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, waiting to return in glory and power. I will pray for my President, but I will pray to my Lord and Savior as the only one who can make any lasting change in my life and in yours and in our world today. I hope you can see the difference… and then begin praying for our leaders!
