Most of all, pray for the Church to remain removed from political entanglement, to become more pure and to experience revival; that we would put no confidence in Princes, nor for help on man depend; but trust Christ Alone as King. That the Church continue to focus on the worldwide spread of the Gospel, a message of grace to sinners, no matter their nationality or political persuasion. That we would remember the vision of Revelation that heaven will be filled with saints beyond number from every nation, tribe, people and language (Rev. 7:9).
Like many in our nation, I am stunned at the presidential results this morning as a result of our electoral college system. Perhaps this is what you voted and hoped for, or perhaps, like the majority of voting Americans, you voted for another candidate. Either way, it is incumbent for us to pray for our nation’s leaders and our new President-Elect (cf. I Tim 2:1-4). We should wish him well, and pray that God prospers his leadership, for the sake of believer and unbeliever alike (cf. Jeremiah 29:7).
Personally, I have made it no secret that objectively and Biblically speaking, I believe our new President-Elect is demonstrably amoral in his world view and behavior. This is not a partisan observation; I lamented the election of a known adulterer in 1992, and publicly proclaimed that President Clinton should have resigned when he repeated this behavior in the Oval Office. Moreover, selfishly, I probably have a lot to gain from a Trump presidency, particularly regarding a potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act. But as Christians, we must not show partiality (James 2:8-13). We must speak truth to power, regardless of who holds it, even if they are the same political persuasion. And we must pray for and love all people, especially our enemies (Mt. 5:44).
And so regarding this year’s President-Elect, I don’t think that his amorality is debatable, even if you still think he was the best choice before us this year given our options. I am not alone in these misgivings according to the exit polls, in which a large majority of voters stated that they believe Mr. Trump is unqualified and temperamentally unfit for office — and even professed fear regarding his presidency; even as many of these same people still voted for him. And thus I believe that a call for particular prayer is warranted, given the potential disruptions to our nation, even as we remember to pray in general without ceasing (I Thes. 5:16).
So here are some ways I suggest we pray for our country and the President-Elect. I do not say these are the only ways we can or should pray, but these are what come to mind in the immediate aftermath of electing this particular man as President.
1) First,give thanks to God for answering our many prayers in regards to our nation according to His perfect plans, whether for judgment or blessing (or some mixture thereof). God is Sovereign and works all things together for good for His Church within our nation (cf. Romans 8:28).
2) Secondly, pray for the Rule of Law to prevail (Romans 13:1-7). Many Americans’ concerns about our new President-Elect will be mitigated if we remain a nation that is Lex Rex(the law is king), rather than the opposite. Most of the following prayer suggestions fall under that category.
3)Pray for minorities in our country, as it was no secret that many white nationalists openly support our new President-Elect and may now feel emboldened. Pray for protection against prejudice, intimidation and violence; once more, that the rule of law will prevail.
4) Pray for women who have been sexually assaulted or abused as they watch our country be led by a man who is almost certainly guilty of sexual assault if his own words are to be believed, along with the eleven woman who have accused him of assault. Pray that women and others would be protected by the law, and that such evil behavior not be allowed to go unchecked in our society.
5) Pray for the Pro-Life movement, and that the President-Elect would keep his promises to use his power to protect unborn life; that lives would actually be saved as a result of this election.
6) Pray for our President-Elect, and that his decisions will be guided by truth and facts; not the demonstrably false misinformation and self-confident bluster that has often guided him in the past (e.g. the “birther” movement). Pray for God to grant him the gift of repentance in regards to his frequent slander, lying and abusive use of his tongue (cf. James 3), and that he would set an example for America as a man changed by humility and grace. Pray that he will be disciplined and literallyget enough sleep in order to think clearly and wisely.
7) Pray that the courts and Federal law enforcement agencies remain objective, and not be used as a tool for political revenge, as the President-Elect threatened during the campaign. Pray that our military leaders will refuse to obey any unlawful orders that may come their way, and continue to insist on adherence to the Geneva Convention.
8) Pray that all relevant truths about our President-Elect’s business dealings and potential conflicts of interest would come to light before the inauguration, particularly in relation to foreign governments. That is, that any necessary truth would come to lightand appropriate actions be taken.
9) Pray that the many unilateral executive powers the new President will possess (e.g. trade agreements, immigration enforcement, use of military force), will be used to promote peace, prosperity and justice, and will protect the vulnerable, rather than to cause harm. Pray that many wise advisors will surround our new President to guide, restrain and bless his work.
10) Pray that the many fractures in our country would be healed; fractures of geography, class, and race; that peace and justice would prevail. In other words, pray for our whole society and materialistic, sin-embracing culture, which is after all, what produced these political parties and candidates.
11) Most of all, pray for the Church to remain removed from political entanglement, to become more pure and to experience revival; that we would put no confidence in Princes, nor for help on man depend; but trust Christ Alone as King. That the Church continue to focus on the worldwide spread of the Gospel, a message of grace to sinners, no matter their nationality or political persuasion. That we would remember the vision of Revelation that heaven will be filled with saints beyond number from every nation, tribe, people and language (Rev. 7:9). Pray for us to remain optimistic, cheerful, joyful and bold in Christ our Savior, He who will come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead; and will in the end make all things new (Rev. 21:5).
Chris Hutchinson is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and is pastor of Grace Covenant PCA in Blacksburg, Va.
