We Christians must honor and pray for Barack Obama
November 6, 2008 by Taylor Marshall
Filed under Faith, Headlines, Politics
It’s no secret that I do not agree with Barack Obama’s policies on abortion and homosexual unions (he didn’t get my vote, if you’re wondering). However, I have been alarmed by some Christians who have resorted to an attitude of disrespect to our President-Elect. Racist remarks and off color comments are completely unacceptable in the mouth of a Christian.
We must honor and pray for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. They are our elected leaders. We may disagree their policies, but we must remember that Sacred Scripture commands us to show honor to them:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom 13:1).
Despite our disagreements, we must “be subject to the governing authorities”. This is not a suggestion, it a command from the Word of God. It may be hard for us, but “there is no authority except from God”. God granted Barack Obama the presidency. This does not mean that God approves of everything espoused by the President-Elect, but He allowed it to happen for some greater purpose. The purposes of God are unknown to us. Some great good must come out of this. We mustn’t despair.
Saint Peter also taught that Christians should be subject to the governing institutions, even to the emperor as supreme.
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right” (1 Pet 1:13-14).
Keep in mind that Saint Peter spoke of Nero, the most vile Roman emperor and fierce persectutor of Christians.
We should also pray for our leaders. They need extra grace and virtue to fulfill their public offices. Maybe God will bring them to see the light about the injustice of abortion. Whether the conversion of Constantine helped or hindered the Church, it certainly extended the cause of Christ in Europe for subsequent centuries. God had a greater plan. And this is why would should continually pray for our leaders.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way” (1 Tim 2:1-2)
Saint Paul, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit states that we should pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.” We must pray for our leaders. If you count them as enemies in the culture war, then that’s all the more reason to pray for them. Our divine Lord taught us to love and pray for our enemies. Personally, I need a lot of work in this area.
Let’s pray for Barack Obama and ask God to bless him.
Godspeed,
Taylor Marshall
PS: I still haven’t decompressed after the election and this post was not easy for me to write. However, I know in my heart that this is the right thing to say at this moment.
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[...] must honor and pray for Barack Obama Posted in November 6th, 2008 by in Uncategorized We Christians must honor and pray for Barack Obama It’s no secret that I do not agree with Barack Obama’s policies on abortion and homosexual [...]
ahh – i see you have already remembered Romans 13.
[...] A biblical case for praying for Obama can be found here: Christians must honor and pray for Barack Obama. [...]
I’m very glad that you wrote this. I think it really needed to be said. There are millions of opinions and viewpoints out there about the election of President-elect Barack Obama. But God gives us the final word on how to respond to this. It’s all the more gratifying to see a sincere Christian lay aside politics long enough on this issue, to remind the rest of us of what God would have us do according to His word. Thank you for this. (In case you wonder, I’m a Christian and democrat who voted for Barack Obama.)
I think what Christians must do is recognize who he is and that he is the one prophesied in Psalm 109. (109 for 2009) Christians must pray for the body of Christ that people are not deceived into thinking Obama is anything but what and who he is. Pray for Obama? Does one pray for the anti-christ. I don’t know.
Thank you for posting a Godly and Biblical article, you are to be commended for displaying the attitude of Jesus in a tough time, a time when your feelings didn’t want to agree with the Word.
Remember God sees people not as they are, but how they can and will be.
Human eyes saw a wild kid who hangs with the sheep. God saw a king.
God sees the tenderness and malleability of the heart. We need to trust His Word, and His actions. Too many people assume the teachings in the Word are as you said, suggestions- for when its convenient or feels right. Don’t ever try to live a Christian life by feelings, they are unreliable and subject to change. God and His word alone is unchangeable.
God never asked how you FELT about walking in love, or how you felt about forgiving if you have ANYthing against ANYone, or about how you felt about praying for leaders, neither did He tell you to pick and choose only the leaders you felt were legitimate or qualified.
He just said DO IT.
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Pray for Obama? I think not! Rather, I choose to pray for the innocents he has harmed or will harm in the future.