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Basketball and Obama . . . and How to Pray for Our President
- Byron Paulus
- Sun, Feb 1, 2009
- 21 Comments
- Byron's Blog
Are you wanting President Obama to be a success? This seems to be the question everyone is asking.
My answer is simple and emphatic: It depends.
"A victory without honor is a great loss."
Earlier this year, a high school girls' basketball team blew out their opponent with a victory of 100-0. The following day, the school was seeking a forfeit and apologizing for the margin of victory. The head of the school wisely issued his explanation: "A victory without honor is a great loss." In the final quarter, the winning team pressed the opposing team and shot 3's in their attempt to get 100 points. But the victory quickly turned into defeat as the players and coaches concluded that there were greater issues at stake.
It's simple: Success must have a qualitative basis for measurement.
Success is something that requires a standard. And all standards should be derived from an authoritative and higher source. It may be Congress. The U.S. Supreme Court. Citizen popularity. Personal beliefs. Or it can be (should be) Scripture.
I have no problem stating that government policy should adhere to Scripture. That is not religious intrusion into governmental affairs. It is recognizing the intent of our Founders to place government "under God." It means America is a republic under a higher authority rather than a democracy subject to the mere majority opinion of its citizenry.
I DO NOT wish President Obama to be a success if he promotes ungodliness, like murdering the unborn with taxpayers' dollars. (Does it upset you that your tax dollars are being used to murder babies?) Like promoting sodomy as a valid and equal form of marriage. Or even turning our nation into a socialistic form of government, which is edging closer. These are not all the issues, but they are vital ones.
I DO wish President Obama to be a success if he promotes and portrays godliness and honesty. Paul teaches us what to pray for in relation to our government authorities:
I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
This passage makes it clear how God measures success for all who are in authority. If godliness and honesty are chief characteristics of Obama's presidency, then he will have been a success. If not, then he will have failed.
So the answer is simple . . . we wish President Obama to be a success by God's standards. Regardless if he wins or loses by 100 points by man's calculations.
So don't jump on the bandwagon of wishing success without qualifying it--the same qualifications (and more) should hold true for all of us as leaders. But do jump on the bandwagon of those praying for our president.
The following prayer guide is designed to help us pray for our president in light of what God teaches us in His Word. The opportunity to shape the future of our nation through prayer is both real and exciting. Would you pray daily for our new president? Would you pray fervently for him? Would you cry out to the Lord to use him to further His kingdom purposes?
Download our prayer guide: Praying for President Obama
http://www.lifeaction.org/static/uploads/media/pdf/praying_for_president_obama.pdf
Comments
- #1
- Kathy Searcy
- January 28, 2009
- #2
- Michael Cloer
- January 28, 2009
Praying for our President's success is secondary to praying for the ultimate success of God's purpose in allowing this. This is such a timely and scripturally accurate prescription for Christians in our nation. Thank you for leading us in this.
- #3
- David Gray
- January 28, 2009
Sometimes we seem to miss the point. The question should not be whether we are praying for our president's success. That is not what Scripture tells us. God does instruct us to pray for him and all of those in authority. We pray for them not that they would behave themselves but so we might be granted by God peaceable lives in order that we might do His will. We may not understand why God has allowed what He has allowed at this time but we need to thank Him because He is still on the throne. We do not have the option of choosing to look at our leaders actions or inactions and then pray. We must pray and my God will take care of the rest.
- #4
- Kendra Mott
- January 28, 2009
Like many other committed Christians, I wondered why God allowed Obama to win the presidency. However, I know God is on the throne of the universe and he has a plan for this country. In studying the Old Testament, I have shaken my head at the long line of bad kings Israel suffered under. God was working his will then, molding and shaping a great people, and so He is doing the same today. We are shown in scripture that praying for those in authority is definitely God's will for believers. I am sorry that I did not pray more for President Bush as it became apparent (to me, at least) in the last year of his term that the man was under severe spiritual attack.
- #5
- Dawn Wilson
- January 28, 2009
I've struggled with this, so I appreciate this perspective. I think many people have a misguided interpretation of Romans 13:1-4, believing that we are to pray for our leaders' "success." All government is not good; and in many cases, I believe God calls us to take strong stands against ungodly choices promoted by our leaders in government. It is not wise to pray for the success of those who promote wickedness, except to pray for a successful change of heart and mind, or otherwise, to pray that their ungodly policies will fail. There are falsehoods and selfish acts that we must clearly resist, and in our democracy, I am thankful that we still can stand for truth and speak out against error. I pray that God will turn the heart of our President and lead him to repentance.
- #6
- Larry Middendorf
- January 29, 2009
Thanks Byron, your perspective, wisdom and the guide of how to pray for the President is encouraging and full of truth. Success is only success if it is God's plan for success, not man's. May we pray for Godly success, accomplished through Godly leaders.
- #7
- Dan Greegor
- January 29, 2009
Great article Byron. Success is elusive without a touchstone of measurement. "To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God," is success no matter the outside circumstances. I have talked with several people who are frustrated and in fear. Fear of what? How can those who are already victorious in Christ lose anything of eternal value? I agree with David Gray, our president is in authority so we must pray. Whether he is a King David or an King Ahab, whatever is necessary to deepen the faith of the church in America and prepares us as His bride so when His coming is annonced we are ready, that is the "baseline" principle. Without eternal perspective, current realities can be confused.
- #8
- jerry martin
- January 29, 2009
thanks byron. how about first we pray for the president's salvation, then the salvation of those who surround him, support him and serve him. nothing would sound sweeter than cries of "theocracy" from the left! of really great value would be we believers implementing 2 Chron. 7:14.
- #9
- Susan
- February 1, 2009
I am so ashamed of my sisters and brothers in Christ.I have never heard so many hyprocritical christians, than I have the past year during this election.GOD IS THEE only judge.He has allowed Obama to become our president...accept it, and love him as God has called us to. Not everything you hear or read about Obama is true. Much is misconstrued. I see him as such a gentle and loving man and caring about where our country is headed. We all wont agree all the time about people in leadership, but when you are praying for ones salvation, make sure you are right with God yourself.And it wouldn't hurt to pull the stick out of your eye.
- #10
- Eleanor Sedory
- February 2, 2009
Do you have a monthly prayer guide for Pres. Obama?
- #11
- Kerry Shealy
- February 25, 2009
I haven't visited the Life Action website in quite a while, so when I did today and saw your article I knew God had directed me. This was exactly the question I was asking myself last night as our President addressed Congress and our nation..."Do you want him to succeed or fail?" You are right--it depends on where he succeeds and where he fails. He is failing the rights of the unborn right now! Thank you for your perspective.
- #12
- Jeanie
- February 26, 2009
As A black woman,I was not happy with the election results either. I know I shouldn't think this, but I have often wondered when I see whites looking at me, that they would think that I voted for Mr. Obama. I really do think about this. Not all blacks voted for him and I am certainly appalled at the jubilation that was displayed at black churches when he won. I don't feel depressed or fearful anymore, but the writer expressed my feelings also. I do know that this man really needs our prayers as well as the other leaders in gov't. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against unseen forces here. So I have been on my knees for all of them. I trust that God knows exactly what He is doing and He will get the glory for it. Every knee will bow before Him including Pres. Obama. He will will say that Jesus is Lord!!!!!!
- #13
- Donald Starr
- February 28, 2009
I know without question that God is in control and has allowed Obama to become our leader. The reason I offer may be to show us the potential evil that is in front of us and bring us into a realization of how far we have stayed from off the godly path our nation was founded on. I Agree that all 31 points of praying for Obama that you propose is good however Obama needs the Lord in his life. I don't see evidence of Godly leading that in any of his actions by his stand on abortion and homosexuality. I trully feel we need all of the "Christians" in our nation to lift up in corp. prayer, (every day at say 9:00pm) to the our Lord to open Obamas Spiritual eyesand heart to accept Jesus in his life and also prya the Lord gives him the strength to follow through in governing in a Godly way. With the Lord leading him THEN we can pray using your 31 daily suggestion which are very good.
- #14
- Danny
- March 6, 2009
Very insightful article Byron! I really appreciate your centered argument for what defines success. However, let us remember that we elected (twice) a president that was a "Christian" president, who adhered to the principles you mentioned. As Christians, we felt justified to wish him success. But that same man also looked out for the rich, and did little for the poor (Not real Christianity according to Jesus), murdered 100's of thousands of people (many, many innocent), and encouraged greed with public policy. These are just a few of the things that cause me to to pause when I think of wishing someone success, only when they adhere to my Scriptural understandings. Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. I am not an Obama supporter, nor do I support much of his moral agenda. I do however wish him success as my president, and am hopeful he can at least help to re-establish a thriving economy and encourage personal responsibility. Much love and respect to you! -Danny
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- February 12, 2010
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