An Historic Week... what will YOU do?

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. 2 Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 1 Tim 2:1-4 NLT

 

This will be an historic week, not only in our nation’s capital, but also for the whole country.  All of the preparations that are going in to the inauguration of a new president on Tuesday has caused me once again to consider the role that faith ought to play in politics.  Last Fall in the weeks leading up to the election, you will remember, that I presented a series of lessons on “Faith & Politics.”  Generally those lessons were well received as I encouraged Christians to get involved and to let their voices be heard in the political arena.  I appreciated the encouraging feedback that many of you gave me.  There were some, however, who disagreed that we should even be talking about politics in church.  I think there was a fear that it would be divisive.  Surely we can all agree, though, that it is our duty… our obligation… our responsibility… and our profound privilege as people of faith to lift up all of our nation’s leaders in prayer, just as Paul admonished Timothy to do in 1 Tim. 2:1-4.  Remember, the government of Rome was anything but friendly to the early church and Paul certainly couldn’t have agreed with all of its politics… yet he prayed!

 

On Tuesday, Americans will all mark the beginning of a new administration.  We will celebrate the incredible significance of inaugurating Barak Obama, becoming our nation’s first African-American President.  What a remarkable occasion it will be!  Perhaps you will reflect back to times in our country when this seemed impossible and we will be reminded that our nation has made progress in overcoming racism and bigotry.  Most importantly, though, Christians will pray.  We will pray for ALL of our country’s new leaders… that God would grant them safety, protection and wisdom to make the right choices for all of us.  Most of all, let us pray that God’s kingdom would grow.  Governments are neither Christian nor non-Christian and I don’t expect that I will agree with all of the decisions it will make in the next four years (just as I haven’t in the last four)… but that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t support them with my prayers.  I hope you will join me J