Soma

1 Timothy 2:1-2

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Romans 13:7

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

1 Peter 2:17

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Heavenly Father.  We praise you for your incredible sovereignty and for the gift of democracy that you have given us.  And while we appreciate the opportunity to participate in our government, we know that it is ultimately you who raise up leaders and bring them down.  We praise you and thank you for making Barak Obama our president.  We praise you for putting a man like him in power, who has honor and integrity.  We praise you for the fact that his presidency allows our country to take another large step in healing some of the horrible wounds that have been inflicted upon others in the past.  And we praise you for the peacefull exchange of leadership that we are experiencing.

Lord, we also pray for President Obama and his time as the leader of our country.  We pray that you will give him wisdom beyond his years and ability.  We pray that you will convict his heart where he has strayed from your ways, and that you would humble him before you.  We pray that you will allow him (and those around him) to see that his presidency is not a true source of hope.  We pray that you will decicevely demonstrate that a mere human on this earth cannot provide lasting hope, and in so doing show the glorious hope of the gospel.  Lord, I pray specifically for President Obama’s heart towards the littlest ones.  Please convict his heart of his error and show him the glory of your creation in the souls of the unborn.  Lead him to be humble enough to change his mind as he realizes that his fight for abortion is nothing less than murder.  Please open his eyes.

And, Lord, as we recognize your sovereignty and your love for your people we pray for the next four (or eight) years under President Obama’s leadership, that he would lead in such a way that, as believers, we would be able to live peaceful and quiet lives, focused on the godliness you have called us to.  And during that time will you please develop in the church a heart of respect and honor for the man whom you have called to have governmental authority over us.  Will you check our tongues when we are tempted to defame him.  Will you check our hearts when we are tempted to be imbittered against him.  Will you help us to think soberly and reasonably about how we ought to vote in the future, but in the meantime act with the utmost integrity as we live under the authority you have provided.

God, we confess that it is not easy for us to do so.  In fact, we have often not honored or respected our current president as we should have.  So, thank you for President Bush.  Thank you for President Obama.  And in all that is done in our country and the world may you recieve the glory now and for all generations.  Amen.