Why I Pray for the President

 President Donald J. Trump is infected with the coronavirus and is in the second day of his hospitalization. He is among the 34.6 million world-wide (7.4 million U.S.) victims who have been infected. This virus has and continues to upend virtually every nation’s economic, political and social systems, perhaps none more visibly than those of the United States.

 

As the President receives medical care, and as those around him, including his wife, Melania, are also dealing with the rapid-spread of this coronavirus, how should the people of God react?

 

The President is no different than any other human being. In the sentiment of ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’,  when the bell tolls for the life of any human loss it tolls for me. We are a united humanity, at least at the most fundamental level. We should care about and pray for all victims of the virus.

 

But there is an even more specific reason for Christians to pray for the President, regardless of their political views:  “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 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 people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:1-4, NIV)

 

This Sunday I will join thousands of leaders of religious groups in praying for the recovery of our President. It is not a political prayer; it is a prayer for a human whom God wants to be saved and it is a prayer for a person in authority, one who has the ability to permit the Church’s citizens to live peaceful and quite lives, enabling us to effectively  witness to the Good News for all humanity.

 

I prefer the prayer tradition which prays for those in authority by their first names only.  This demonstrates that we pray for them as human leaders whom we respect but to whom we do not bow.

 

For these reasons, I invite you to join me then in prayer for our President, Donald:

 

God, heal our President, heal the people, heal our land. Bring all people to the knowledge of your truth. Amen

Responding to Fearful Threats

How should God’s people respond to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic?  How shall we react to the ‘national emergency’ the President, Governors and Mayors have declared to exist?

After Jesus died and was buried his friends believed their lives were in mortal danger. Surely, they thought, they would be next in line to die a horrible death. Guilt by association. What did they do? They huddled together in a room, ‘the doors locked for fear.’  What happened next changed the history of the world, of the universe.  Jesus, he whom they saw die, showed up in their midst. They thought they were seeing a ghost.  But then Jesus spoke words that ring down through history, “Peace be with you!” The disciples were frightened at first, but as Jesus continued to comfort them their fright turned to joy.  They still might be targets of the powers that killed Jesus, but now they had Jesus with them.

The presence of Jesus changes fear to joy, not because the threats we fear go away, but because we see that ‘this too shall pass.’  Importantly, Jesus says, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  The role of God’s people, the work of the church, in the midst of a time of national emergency is to go into locked rooms and bring a word of peace. Sure, the threats of viruses are a real and present danger, but Jesus is with you and he isn’t leaving. ‘Peace be with you.’

A second obligation of God’s people in the midst of crisis is to honor the restrictions and guidelines the government decrees over our activities and lifestyles.  We are called to be faithful disciples first and good citizens second. Keep that order, but to the extent possible, do both.

Is it a necessary thing to close school and church activities? Opinions differ. But, a national emergency is declared. So, good citizens do what we are advised: wash our hands and practice social distancing because, in the long run, it is going to make our nation healthier more quickly.

What should you do today? Bring a word of peace to people who are huddled in fear.  Model good citizenship for your neighbors. “It is well, it is well with my soul.”