PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA

"I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ... ” 1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NIV)

Selfishly speaking, a big 'pain' in my side right now is that this is the first time we've had a President of the United States who is actually YOUNGER than I am. President-elect Obama was born August 4, 1961, nearly two full years after I was born. And that feels very, very strange to me.

But now that we officially have a new President-elect, the next step is clear. We should pray for him. We are commanded by the Bible to respect our leaders - and pray for them. We should pray the hardest when it's hardest to pray.

Romans 13 says, “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but God's: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whoever resists the power, resists the ordinance of God.”

Daniel 2:21 reminds us that God “removes kings and sets up kings.” His will is accomplished in His time. God is not bound by the past or the future. He is the God of the present.

Praying for the change of a great leader, no matter who he/she is or what he/she stands for can effect the spiritual atmosphere for an entire nation.

Joelene and I were in India in 2006. We were told that in many people's homes were framed pictures of a famous deceased Indian leader from several decades ago. It was explained that when this man converted from Hinduism to Buddhism, almost immediately one million people also converted to worship Buddha. Think what might have happened had that man become a Christian instead -- would those MILLION people also have received Christ?

We should never underestimate the influence of one person. Along with leadership goes the great responsibility to be accountable to the people and to God. We must deeply respect the position of leadership, even when/if we do not agree with our leaders and even when/if they fail. The apostle Paul told Timothy to pray and intercede “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:2-4 - NIV)

Prayer changes things. Let's get started.

And be blessed.