Praying for Those in Authority
I have been thinking about the endless saga of “scandal” that has been drummed up regarding President Trump over the past few years. When I first voted, I had never really payed much attention whatsoever to anything political, but that changed quickly. I was furious about the injustice and unfair vitriol; I still am honestly ashamed of what too many Americans in positions of power and influence say daily.
The foolishness, self-righteous peackocking and over-the-top theatrics thrown at the President as if he is some mythical tyrant is laughable and exhausting. I don’t know what the majority of Christians in this country believe or where they lean politically, but I know what the Bible commands us to do, without question.
Romans 13:1–2 says this:
“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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
Paul is talking about a government that was tyrannical and immoral. The Roman Empire was a conquering force that demanded worship of Caesar. Paul and every Christian alive in the empire faced violent mobs, death threats, state-sponsored idolatry, persecution — and death. He was commanding his readers to be subject to that authority! He was saying that God is still in control, even in those circumstances. No human power has any authority, no matter what they might claim, that God did not intentionally give them.
I am not at all saying the Bible prohibits standing up against unjust leaders, but the point I am trying to make is that we do not live under the thumb of a tyrannical emperor! We don’t! If Paul was absolutely certain of what he was writing, facing a government that unfairly slaughtered and imprisoned Christians, what is expected from American Christians?
We live in a country that was built under the assumption that the Creator God made humans and imbued them with unalienable rights, and that human voices mattered. America has made mistakes, some of them truly terrible and sinful, but so has every nation that has ever existed on this planet. This leader is not one of those mistakes.
We are not living under a ruler who reeks of immorality and scandal and injustice. I’m sorry, but that’s just the truth. There is no evidence, no numbers, no truthful voice that exists in these allegations. I pray there are more Christians who know this and passionately rise to the defense of the innocent. I’m not saying you have to agree with every tweet, statement or policy. I’m not saying you even have to like him (he’s more than a bit ornery!).
What I am saying is that God gave this authority to that man. The American People entrusted that authority to that man. The Bible warns of God’s judgement on those who rebel against the authority He has instituted. I don’t want to be anywhere near that, and He doesn’t want any of us to be either.
I cannot stand for reckless, godless disobedience, hatred, and greed. I will always support the right to speak freely, especially when a President is dishonoring their God-given authority. But that isn’t what’s happening here. What’s happening here reveals the true colors of far too many leaders. I’m sick of it, and I won’t stop praying and speaking until something shifts.
I am confident that God Himself willed Donald Trump to be the President of the United States. Do you honestly think there is a soul on this planet who knows better than He does? If you claim to be a Christian, you have a responsibility:
“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1–4)
I don’t know about you, but I’m not about to join the voices of those who are not peaceful or godly or dignified in any way. I have, however, added my own voice in supplication, prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving. That is what pleases God, and that is the only thing that really matters to me. Does it matter to you?
