Tomorrow is January 20th. On a normal year, we would be solely remembering and celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. This year though, we will also be able to celebrate or mourn the inauguration of the next President of the United States. I say both celebrate and mourn because I know people who will be represented on both sides of the spectrum. I have friends who are over the moon about who are next president will be, and I have friends who are angry and disheartened about who our country chose to elect as our next commander-in-chief… or I guess technically who we have chosen again to fill that role.
I’ve struggled the last month or so about how to approach tomorrow with having friends on both sides of the political line so to speak. Tomorrow people will be feeling a range of emotions. As a believer though… how should I respond to the departure of President Biden from the White House and the arrival of President Trump back to the White House? What should my emotion be? Happy? Sad? Joyful? Hopeful? Discouraged? Because all of these emotions will be felt by someone tomorrow.
I’m going to address the emotion part first. Is it wrong or right to feel any one emotion? That’s above my paygrade and I don’t think so, but again, above my paygrade. But I for one will choose to be grateful AND joyful tomorrow. Grateful because I had to right to participate in the choosing of our next president. Grateful to live in a country where we have so many freedoms that other countries don’t have and we so often take for granted. Grateful that this world isn’t my home and what’s to come is even better than I can imagine. Joyful because it’s another day the Lord has blessed me with on this earth and with my breath in my lungs. Joyful because I still get to run my race and continue seeking and following Him.
Now to answer the first question posed. How do we as believers respond to the changing of a political leader? The Bible is clear, you are to pray for your leaders… all leaders- not just the ones you like and voted for. I am going to pray for wisdom. I am going to pray for discernment. I am going to pray that President Trump and his cabinet would lead our country well.
Is Trump a believer? I don’t know, but I do know it’s not my place to judge. And him being a believer or not being a believer does not change the command to pray for him. I am praying for his salvation if he isn’t saved. And if he is saved, I’m praying that like David, he would become a man after God’s own heart. I am praying, if he follows the Lord, that the Lord would continue to sanctify him changing his actions, words, and interactions with people so that the world has no choice but to see Christ in him.
The community and company we keep matters. I’m praying that President Trump would surround himself with wise people. I’m praying that the wise people will also be believers.
I am also praying these things for Vice President Vance. I am praying for wisdom and discernment. I’m praying, like for President Trump, that if he isn’t a believer, that he would also put his faith and trust in Jesus.
Finally, I am praying for the country. I am praying for a sense of unity that we do not often feel or experience in this country. I am praying the different law makers and legislators would make decisions that are best for the people as a whole. I am praying that, though they have different thoughts and beliefs, they could find a way to work together.
I am praying for us believers in America. I am praying that we would live a life worthy of the gospel. I am praying that we would let scripture and not culture dictate what we believe and how we will. I am praying that the church would be the church. I am praying that we would be the hands and feet of Christ. I am praying for revival in this great country. I am praying that Christ would be glorified.
I am not sure what these next four years will bring. Heck, I’m not even sure what Inauguration Day will bring. But I know who is holding all things together, and that is Jesus. Because He is holding all things together, I know no matter what happens, everything will be okay in the end. I know I won’t remember to do it everyday, but I want to be intentional in praying often for our leaders. If you are reading this and are my brother or sister in Christ, I’d ask and encourage you to join me in praying. If you aren’t a believer and have questions about the Jesus guy I mention, I’d love to share more with you- you can leave a comment below asking your questions.
Grief. Going. Healing. 
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