Hail to the Chief...and All Those in Authority

After two years of campaigning and millions of dollars being spent, the United States of America has elected a new President, Barack Obama. The Senator from Illinois will move into the White House as many new members of Congress move to Washington, D.C. Certainly, they will all have difficult work ahead when they take office in January. Many Americans are anxious about the economy, the conflicts overseas, and the security of our nation. Our nation is looking to our newly elected leaders for direction. As Christians, we are called to have a special attitude toward our government and how it deals with world events.

In writing to his young apprentice, Paul instructed Timothy to do his part as it related to the government of his day:
“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” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Christians are to make requests, prayers, and intercession for their government leaders, those who are in authority. This essentially covers every type of prayer. However, Paul goes a step further in saying that we should thank God for the men and women who have, in the case of the US, been elected to positions of power.

The way in which many Christians pray about government is somewhat peculiar in light of this passage. We go before the throne of heaven asking that God “lead our country to elect leaders who follow Him” and “help those leaders return America to the God-fearing nation it once was.” The Old Testament provides ample proof that God rules in the affairs of men and punishes nations that wonder away from Him. Thomas Jefferson even “trembled” for his country when he “reflected that God is just and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” Perhaps, our genuine but fervent desire to see America return to its Judeo-Christian roots causes us to misunderstand the roles that governments and Christians should play in making that change possible.

If we follow Paul’s instructions the end result should be “that we may live quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” We sometimes forget that “the authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). Each and every one of us should first thank God for our new leaders and also ask that He help them to make decisions, not based upon our own political philosophies, but based upon what will allow us as His children to live our lives quietly in His service. The answer to America’s, indeed the world’s, problems is not a Republican or a Democrat in the White House (depending on your party affiliation). The answer is Jesus Christ. The risen Savior of the world is the only One who can bring change that we can believe in. But to bring that change, He relies upon us to be His ambassadors. Instead of putting country first, we should put His cause first, reviving our nation in our neighborhoods and not necessarily in Washington. The government’s job is to give us safety and tranquility. Our job is to change the world. Government leaders come and go. As they do, God remains on His throne and therefore we always have reason to be optimistic and thankful regardless of who our leaders are and whether they be good or bad.