Wednesday, November 5, 2008

An Effective Change

We finally have a new president-elect. Maybe, just maybe, our news will actually become news rather than biting fighting deriding words of each party. Maybe we can all settle down a little bit and stop arguing with everyone we meet about who is the best man or woman for the job (seriously, I have seen complete strangers going at it because of their bumper stickers).

I implore you, now, to pray like you have never prayed before. President-Elect Obama and his family are facing one of the toughest jobs in the world. He will be faced with many challenges and decisions that will impact our nation, and he NEEDS our prayers. Regardless of how much you like or dislike the man, we are called to pray for those in authority and respect those in authority and to serve.

For some, it may be a complete shift in habits. You may have spent the last year talking about everything that's wrong with this man, and how much you dislike him. For others, you have been so excited about the change he has promised to bring. It's time for every single one of us to unite as Americans, but more importantly as Christians, and pray that God will be glorified in this land. It's time for us to stop our complaining, our slander, our disrespectful comments, and honor the man that God has placed in authority in our country. I'm going to challenge you to remember that old saying that our mothers taught us, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." I imagine that it won't be easy for any of us. Some will be watching for every mistake and rejoicing (which is petty, immature and downright disgusting). Others will be disappointed when promises are broken (and they will be broken, because no president in our history has really been able to do EVERYTHING they have promised to get elected). Either way, it will be difficult to guard our tongues, but it is possible!

Let's fight for a true change! Let's get on our knees and choose to speak life into this country again!

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. - James 5:16