PRAY FOR THE NEW GUY

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, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. - 1Timothy 2:1-4

I was born in Barbados. About 6 months before my birth, my father was appointed as the pastor of a Bajan church. He moved his 2 children and pregnant wife to that tropical paradise. I used to believe that according to the Constitution, I could never be President, because I wasn't born in America, which is something I have in common with Obama!

Settle down, I'm just kidding! The fact is, whether you voted for our next president or not, the Word of God commands you to pray for him. You are also required to respect his authority, and obey his word - as long as it doesn't contradict God's Word. As Americans, we're free to show support for, question, or even disagree with government leadership. We hired 'em, we can fire 'em! As believers we're free to couch our political comments in prayer.

Praying for others, is transforming on different levels. In my experience, I've been changed probably as much as they have; maybe more! For example, I've always had difficulty continuing to pray for someone and continuing to be angry with them at the same time. If you have other "authority issues" in your life, I believe this will help in those areas as well.

Praying for our leaders is non-partisan. If you voted for our next president, then you naturally want to see him succeed in his new office. If you didn't vote for him, praying for him might actually be a better way to vent your frustrations than complaining for the next four (eight?) years. Besides, if he does accomplish beneficial change, you can always respond to your friends, "Well, it's a good thing I decided to pray for him!"

The following comes courtesy of The Presidential Prayer Team. It is a list of biblical prayers to say for those in political authority in this nation. May you be blessed, as you bless others!

PRAY THE SCRIPTURES!
Scriptures to Pray for the President, Our Leaders and the Nation

The following Scripture verses have been adapted to be prayed back to God. Use them to pray for the President, members of his cabinet, the Supreme Court Justices, leaders of Congress, or local officials. They are also appropriate to pray for church leaders and pastors.

PRAYERS FOR THE PRESIDENT

I pray that You, O Lord will continually bring goodness and sweetness into the President's life rather than sorrow, causing him to know that taking joy in You makes him strong.
--Nehemiah 8:10

I pray that the President will delight himself in You, Lord, knowing that You will give him the desires of his heart.
--Psalm 37:4

I pray that the President will trust in You, Lord, with all his heart, and lean not on his own understanding. I pray that in all his ways he will acknowledge You, and You will direct his paths.
--Proverbs 3:5-6

I pray that you will always help the President to have a gentle answer that turns away wrath, keeping him from harsh words that stir up anger.
--Proverbs 15:1

O Lord, remind the President continually that You alone are His strength, and that it is You who allows him to accomplish any high and lofty goals.
--Habakkuk 3:19

I pray than when the President faces obstacles he will remember that victory comes not by might nor by power, but by Your Spirit.
--Zechariah 4:6

I pray that the President will always love You O Lord, with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength and that he will love his neighbor as himself. Make him aware that there is no greater command than this.
--Mark 12:30-31

O Lord, grant that the President remembers often Your deep and abiding love for him, knowing that he will ultimately be victorious spiritually because You died for him.
--Romans 8:37

I pray that the President will put bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil away from him with all malice. I pray also that kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness will characterize him, just as they do God and His Son Jesus Christ.
--Ephesians 4:31-32

I pray that the President will turn to you for his strength, knowing that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.
--Philippians 4:13

I pray that you will grant the President the passion and the will to do all his work heartily, remembering that he is serving You and not men.
--Colossians 3:23

O faithful Lord and God, strengthen and protect the President and guard him from the evil one.
--II Thessalonians 3:3

I pray that the President will submit willingly to You, O God, resisting the devil so the enemy will flee from him.
--James 4:7

I pray that the President, by doing good, may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
--I Peter 2:15

I pray, God, that the President will resist the temptation of pride and will humble himself under Your mighty hand, that in Your time you may lift him up.
--I Peter 5:6

Lord, I ask You to help the President to confess his sins before You, remembering that You are faithful and just and will cleanse him from sin and forgive him for all unrighteousness.
--I John 1:9

O God, let the President always be confident in approaching You, remembering that You hear his prayers when he asks in accord with Your will. May he always pray this way, with confidence.
-- I John 5:14-15