I wake up this morning to the same news you do. Donald Trump is now our president elect. For some of us, the news is exciting and a breath of relief. For others, it brings great anxiety. For most, we fall somewhere in between.
I am sure that many will be using their voice to lay out their views and emotions which is certainly understandable. However, for me, I want to share some prayer requests.
I ask you to pray for our president elect. He has claimed often that his temperament will change if he is elected and I pray that’s true. Pray that our new president submits to God and leads well.
I ask you to pray for our country and that we can unite. All night, I listened to the media say that whoever wins, we need to unify. This morning, I’m now listening to the media talk in very divisive ways. We have a new president, senate, and house of representatives that are all one party but are still very divided.
I ask you to pray for those who are struggling this morning with fear, anger, and other emotions. Several minority groups (women, african americans, hispanics, etc) voted for the other side and feel a little overwhelmed that the voice of white men overshadowed their votes. I can understand that there are a lot of emotions and our unity comes from our understanding.
I ask you to pray for the church. Some (not all) Christians feel that Trump is ushering in some challenging days. However, when we look at the governing of Rome in Jesus’ days to some’s worst fears of Trump’s leadership … they do not compare. The hardship of being a jewish man under Roman rule was overwhelming (especially if you claimed to be the Messiah).
Jesus taught to not be of this world. Jesus taught to be in submission to the governing bodies. Jesus taught us to be the light in our world. Most importantly, Jesus showed us how to do it.
So today, the news and social media will be popping. I will be praying. I will also be heading into two days of digging into the Word with pastor’s from all over on the importance of being an active church member in local body churches to make a difference in this world.
Jesus talking to Pilate
“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I would not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here’”
John 18
Paul on submission to government under Roman rule
““Let every soul, be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” Romans 13
Peter on submission to government under Roman rule
“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God” (1 Peter 2:13-15)
About Tom Hypes
