If you're left, right, or dead set in the center, you have to admit: today is quite a day in our nation's history. Today, Barack Obama, an African-American, will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Quite a day indeed! And not just because president-elect Obama is our first African-American president, but simply because he is our new president.
The working theme of this blog is to discuss the many intersections we can find between the Gospel and our culture. I woke up with a desire to share a number of observations today - that 2 million people are gathered in our nation's capital clinging to the promise of hope; that this is such a profound moment in history in our battle against racism and for reconciliation; that I've never quite seen our nation ever rally like this around one man. But I really only have just one thing to share, and it's one you've already heard. Sorry if it seems like I'm warming up leftovers, but this is the simple thought I surrendered to this morning in all my reflection and all my desire to write, write, write about what this means and how we might find some real treasures in it for preachers:
Let us pray.
I cannot imagine the weight Barack Obama feels on his shoulders. I can't imagine the weight President Bush has felt on his shoulders. What a truly awesome, humbling responsibility. And we would all have to agree that president-elect Obama faces incredibly difficult circumstances.
So pray.
Pray today. Pray tomorrow. Pray with your congregations this weekend. Pray the following week - each day. Pray again with your congregation the next weekend, possibly sealing a new tradition that is, after all, quite biblical. Pray over the years to come.
And don't stop when it seems President Obama has hit his stride and all is well concerning the recession or the war or any number of other issues that might be near and dear to your heart. Don't stop when he does something you disagree with. Don't stop when the next election comes along and you might feel like there's another horse in the race you'd like to have win. Pray, pray, and on the day when you don't feel like praying, say two instead of one.
Posted by Brian Lowery at 8:43 AM on January 20, 2009
Comments
A good reminder, Brian. I read your post after I watched Rick Warren pray and Barack Obama take the oath of office. Those of us who were disappointed with the outcome of the election need to be reminded that Paul's exhortation to pray for those in authority was written at a time when those in authority weren't particularly nice or godly people. They certainly weren't friendly toward those who followed Jesus. We must pray that our new president will be open to God's wisdom in his private life and in leading our country.
Posted by: Steve Campbell on January 20, 2009