Praying for Presidents
The Musings of Augustus Merriweather
My dear friends and readers,
Greetings from Palmetto Cove on this consequential day in our nation’s story - a presidential election day, no less. As we gather our thoughts on the future of this country, some of us may feel a nervous flutter, while others are braced for the possibility of disappointment or perhaps the thrill of triumph. And for us as Christians, today provides an opportunity, though not simply to back a candidate or a party, but rather to lift our eyes a little higher. Our Lord has called us to something deeper than mere civic duty; he’s called us to prayer, for the leaders we admire and the ones we might rather ignore.
If there’s one theme I hope to leave you with today, it’s that we’re summoned to approach this moment with a godly resolve to pray for our leaders - not just in rhetoric, but with the genuine conviction that our prayers bear weight in the eyes of heaven.
🏛️ Why Pray for Leaders, Anyway? ✨
As much as I, like many of you, find myself invested in the direction of our country, the words of Paul to Timothy pull me back to a higher vantage point. “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” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Now, there’s a word to ponder - dignified. What might it mean for us to respond to today’s results with a dignified heart, irrespective of who claims victory? It means, I believe, offering our prayers and goodwill not only for the candidate we favor but for the one elected, whomever that may be. This call to prayer is not merely a ritual - it’s an act of submission to God’s sovereignty and a reminder that our allegiance lies not to a person or office, but to Christ our King.
Russell Kirk, that wise philosophical voice, once wrote, “Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable - the art of the next best.” And yet, as believers, we are not limited to what politics can accomplish, for we serve a God of the impossible. Our prayers, then, reach beyond what policy can accomplish and rest in the realm of the eternal.
🌱 A Christian’s Guide to Election Day Grace 🌱
As we seek to navigate the results of today’s election with grace, allow me to share three principles that may anchor our hearts:
1. In the midst of political change, remember that we worship a King whose rule is never up for a vote. In times like these, I find great comfort in the words of the prophet Daniel: “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21). Our God is neither threatened nor surprised by today’s results; his purpose remains steadfast. And so we pray not with anxiety, but with trust in his divine plan.
2. For those whose chosen candidate wins, I urge you to hold your triumph with humility and to avoid gloating, even in private conversation. And for those whose candidate does not secure office, remember that bitterness or resentment finds no home in the Christian heart. As C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Let us put aside personal preference and, as the Apostle Paul so eloquently reminds us, set our minds on things above.
3. Perhaps one of the most countercultural things a Christian can do today is to sow peace where division may fester. Whether in your home, workplace, or even on that delightful chaos called the internet, seek to speak words that uplift rather than divide. Blessed, after all, are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), and blessed, I dare say, are those who pray for them.
📜 Action Steps for Faithful Citizens 📜
How might we carry these principles into practical steps?
1. Whomever is elected, commit to praying daily for wisdom, strength, and discernment for our leaders, whether they have your wholehearted support or your cautious skepticism. As a matter of discipline, begin your prayer with a heart of gratitude, asking God to guide their decisions for the well-being of all people.
2. Elections come and go, but our call to love our neighbors remains steady. Whether it’s volunteering, encouraging others, or simply lending a listening ear, let us take the outcome as an invitation to redouble our efforts to be Christ’s hands and feet, no matter who occupies the Oval Office.
🔄 Closing Thoughts: Beyond Election Day 🔄
Today, as ballots are counted and we await the final word, let us remember that our highest calling is not to political victory but to faithful obedience. I recall the words of G.K. Chesterton, who observed that “the Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.”
No matter the outcome, I ask you to join me in making a conscious decision to love those who may celebrate or grieve in ways different from our own. Our ultimate loyalty is not to red or blue, but to a Savior whose love knows no boundaries.
So, thank you, dear reader, for sharing in this moment of reflection with me today. I hope you find these musings to be a source of encouragement and a gentle nudge toward Christlike grace. As always, I welcome your questions, thoughts, and ponderings. And, if you found this entry meaningful, I’d be honored if you’d share it with friends or invite others to subscribe to Walking Points for more musings.
Yours in faith and fellowship,
Augustus B. Merriweather III
P.S. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Win or lose, I’ll be ending this evening with a nice cup of tea, a prayer, and a quiet cheer for my Georgia Bulldogs, who, unlike today’s candidates, never fail to make me proud, although this past Saturday’s performance in Jacksonville tested that thesis.