“I do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” … words of the president’s oath.
So, are you all set to watch the rock concert today? Yes, I’m referring to the inauguration of our nation’s 44th president, Barack Obama. If you tune into your television, and happen to flip to any news channel really, you’ll be sure to see thousands upon thousands of people crowding the streets of D.C. attending the inaugural celebration of our new president. If you happen to watch for any length of time, I’m sure you’ll see plenty of tears of joy, celebrities (from A-listers on down the totem pole) and maybe even a few protestors sprinkled throughout the masses. The historic nature of the Barack Obama presidency, not to mention his fluidity of speech, promises that his inauguration will be one for the ages.
It’s good to see so much of our nation excited about our new “leader to be.” I’d be the first one to say that our country is in dire need of a leader who can unite our country and provide us with hope during the current economic crisis. But more importantly than uniting our country, our country is in desperate need of a leader who will reflect the characteristics of the LORD.
Over the next few weeks, months, and even years, I believe it is our responsibility to keep the leaders of our country active in our prayer life. Our opportunity for influencing the 44th president of the United States did not end on that Tuesday in November—it just began. In James 5:16, it says, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” How much more blatant can James, the half-brother of Jesus, be? It’s simple, the prayer of those who seek the Lord makes a difference.
Regardless of how the media might paint the picture of the effectiveness of our new president as we move throughout his term, good or bad, our prayer as a nation will be needed.
If president Obama is going to “faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,” he will need the Holy Spirit with him—anyone would. Throughout the next four years of president Obama’s term, there are going to be many trials, triumphs, opportunities, and decisions our leader will need to face. Such a task is too much for one man to face alone. As a country, and as a follower of the Lord, it is our responsibility to lift up our leader to God. It will make a difference. It’s God’s promise.
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