Today the United States swore in it's first African American President, Barack Hussein Obama. This is a watershed moment in our country's history as Senator McCain's gracious concession speech pointed out back in November. McCain said: "No mater where you might be in the political spectrum and who you might have voted for that night , this event is worthy of note.
This is a significant contrast to our nation a little over 40 years ago when African Americans where disenfranchised and the civil rights movement highlighted our nations injustice. It was 40 years ago that Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated, but not before hope was engendered by his famous "I have a Dream" speech at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial years before.
There is little doubt that this President Elect Obama's achievement ushers in a new era in the Presidency and a unique affirmation for all people of color. It also possibly gives us glimpse of progress in the healing of the American psyche and the possibility of further racial reconciliation as alluded to by MLK's "I have dream" speech, in the greater scheme of things, God's desire for justice and harmony among humankind.
In the first letter to Timothy 2:1-3, God tells us through Paul the Apostle:
"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."
God urges us to pray for President Obama and in this poignant time of history, filled with uncertainty and unique challenges, the President deeply needs our prayers and support. We've just come out our "New Testament Challenge" PSCT, where we read the New Testament in 63 days. I'll invite you to take the Presidential Challenge this year
Would you pray for President Obama daily?
Some of the things we can pray for:
1) His and his family's health and safety
2) Wisdom to govern our country
3) To begin to steer us out of economic crisis and toward economic prosperity
4) To set us toward a course of peace and out of terrorist threat.
5) That the president might ultimately lean on God and recognize His hand in America.
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