Great God and most gracious heavenly Father
Thank you for life. For creating and sustaining the world in
which we live. Were it not for your mercy, it would already have been destroyed
long ago – either by us in sinning or by you in punishing sin. You have not
only been merciful, but to many you have been exceedingly gracious, not only sparing
us from total self-destruction and all-encompassing wrath on earth, but saving
us from sin and giving us joy-filled life after death for all eternity because
of the salvation purchased by Jesus Christ on the cross for all who believe on
him. By your Spirit you have taken we who were spiritually dead and enlivened
us, we who were spiritual orphans and loved us, we who were outcasts and
brought us into your loving family. Thank you that we are kept in your love
despite our many flaws and failures and that we are being cleansed daily in the
water of your word.
Thank you that in this life, you provide order. There is a
natural way of doing things that you have designed, an acceptable way that you
have appointed. You, as the ruler of the Universe, have given government as a
means through which to enforce this order. Although the governments of the
world fall far short of your glory and righteousness, and indeed so often
perpetuate corruption and all manner of wickedness, yet your overall plan is
still to use them as a force for good against evil, and your purposes for
individual nations are worked out ultimately to your glory. Forgive us, for we too
often sinfully think, speak, and act fractiously in rebellion against the order
you have established – against our fellow man with whom we disagree, against
those of our leaders whom we disrespect, and against you our God with whose
provision we are discontent.
In the mysterious counsel of your will, according to your
perfect plan for the world, doubtless to in some way further your purposes and
fulfil your promises to your people, you have permitted that Donald Trump be
elected President of the United States. I confess that I was opposed to him for
as long as I had a choice and the last votes were cast, but I am not opposed to
your will now revealed. There remain many aspects of his past conduct and
present character that if I am to be consistent in obeying and applying your
word I must be firmly against and cannot in any way endorse; there are concerns
I still have about his policies that I fear go against what is right and good,
and in time silent submission may prove, before you, unconscionable and immoral.
Yet for now it has been your will to appoint him to this office - whether for
blessing or judgement or some mixture of both I do not know. I am thankful that
you do know, and I can entrust President Trump, our horribly divided nation,
and our deeply unsettled world to you and your providential care. You do all
things well. May your will be done. So far as I am as a Christian able to
support him, help me to do so with respect and honour. Give me and your people
everywhere grace, patience, and humility when we disagree with the President,
protect us from proud triumphalism and idolatrous adoration when we agree with
him, and steel us with conviction to rationally and respectfully stand against
any evil - God forbid it! - he may inflict on the nation or world.
I pray for President Trump, that you will give him wisdom to
make the right decisions and strength to lead the country accordingly. May he
carry himself with grace and dutifully fulfil his office with dignity. We pray
that you would surround President Trump with clear thinkers and able
counsellors who will positively influence both him and his policies in the
years ahead. For him personally, we pray that he would renounce evil, repent of
sin, and seek your forgiveness. Create in him a spirit of humility and may he
learn to depend on you. Free him from any hindering baggage from his past,
teach him to be upright in the present, and protect him from scandal in the
future. Bless and help him and his family. Watch over his wife and children and
protect them, and help them to help their husband and father for his and the
nation's good. For President Trump politically, we pray that he would be like a
sledgehammer to all that is wrong and wicked in the American system, a scalpel
for all that is in some ways good but in other ways corrupted, and a sword to
those who would create terror in the name of religion or race. May he not only
tear down what is bad but build up what is good. In compassion may he assist
those in danger or in need, wherever they come from and whatever they believe.
Enable him to keep his promises of building a stronger, healthier, more united
nation for all the people. And through him, as you have already done even in
his election, continue to shame the wisdom of the "wise": may none of
the dire warnings, apocalyptic scenarios, and worst fears of people the world
over be realised during his presidency. In your mercy and grace we ask instead
that there would be peace and prosperity throughout his tenure.
Thank you that you have granted President Trump a measure of
wisdom in appointing Mike Pence - by all accounts a man with experience, good
character, and Christian faith - as his Vice President. As it is anticipated
that Vice President Pence will play a significant role in daily operations, we
pray that you will help him to counsel the President with wisdom and assist in
leading the nation's law-makers with a steady, determined, and principled hand.
As he and his family continue to be mocked for their faith and their home
surrounded by protestors against their Christian values, uphold them
emotionally and protect them physically.
Thank you too that among the President's other cabinet
appointees are some other men and women of faith and good character. Bless and
help them to knowledgeably and efficiently carry out their responsibilities.
May they not be swallowed up by the dark, corrupt side of politics, but rather
overcome such temptations to more effectively promote truth, justice,
generosity, equality, and peace in our nation. May they be good stewards of the
nation’s resources and interests with which they are entrusted.
I pray too for your people, Lord. Help us.
May we not be so enamoured with the promises and potential
of Capital Hill that we forget the principles of being your city on a hill.
May we not get carried away in the winds of compromise,
pragmatism, and cultural expediency either to the right or to the left but may
we hold a straight course balanced by the clarity of your word and the compassion
of Christ. Your word is truth in a world of lies, it is light to dark and murky
paths, it is an unfailing guide regardless of obstacles and a trustworthy
anchor in the deep waters of adversity and strife. Your compassion in Christ is
healing to our fractured society, hope for the fearful and suffering, and help
for ever-failing sinners.
May we not be led astray by passions of sycophancy or
subversion, lest we be impotent as prophets of your heavenly kingdom and
insubordinate as people with earthly residency.
May we have the humility to listen to and learn from
brothers from other cultures and living in other countries who often have
valuable insight and a practical, Biblical perspective that can constructively
cut against the grain of the new status quo.
May we not deny other people’s liberty, compel their
conscience, or deny their right to peaceful protest and lawful, public dissent.
Where such protest and dissent is righteous, may we eagerly and prayerfully join
them.
May we not rancorously perpetuate discontent, nor propagate
division among anyone but especially among your people, our brothers and
sisters in Christ.
May brothers not disregard or disrespect other brothers over
political differences, but - if they must - respectfully dialogue with them on
Scriptural grounds with a genuine attempt at understanding and reaching some
ground of agreement and Christian consensus. Forgive us Lord, for we are weak,
opinionated, and proud and our minds sometimes incapable of coming to or even
seeking agreement. We expect if anything for people to come to agreement with
us as we are of course, “right” - or so we would like to think. At the end of
the day, Lord, teach us to realise that your word is completely whole and
perfect, unlike any words we say - teach us to cherish it more and order our
thoughts according to it so that we are shaped more by you than by whatever
worldly human philosophies are currently en
vogue. Whatever disagreements we may end up still having, may your love in
Christ conquer all personal division, political prejudice, and petty distrust.
May we press on united in our mission of proclaiming "Jesus Christ is
Lord", regardless of our many and mixed feelings about today's news that
"Donald Trump is President."
As we continue with the mission you have entrusted to us,
make us more prayerful for our governing leaders, that we may live godly,
peaceful lives in Christ regardless of who is at the desk in the White House,
knowing that you always occupy the throne in Heaven.
May you receive glory, honour, and praise in and through all
things, at all times, and in all places.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Friend, Saviour, and King
Amen.
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