Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A momentous event: Let’s celebrate and pray

I know it’s been said innumerable times today, but I, too, “never thought I’d see the day” that a Black man would be sworn in as the President of the United States. Today’s Inauguration was truly a momentous and historic event. I honestly believe God put Barack Obama into this high office. Therefore, it only makes sense to thank God for Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States.

Also, as a great-great-great grandson of former slaves, I can’t help but think about my forebears: “If only _______ was alive to see this.” I’ve wondered what they would say had they lived to see this day. Thinking about our nation’s history, you know it’s only been by the grace of God that Black people have come so far:

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way.

Barack Obama’s Inauguration as President of the United States is a testament to the grace of God. That’s why I celebrate.

However, I also join with others in praying for President Obama and his family.

I pray that God would protect them from all physical harm.

I pray that God would grant President Obama great wisdom to deal with the deep and serious issues that confront our country at this present moment.

Though we don’t deserve it, I pray that God would bring about much good for our country through the leadership of Mr. Obama.

I also pray that God would keep our President from doing evil.

Finally, as a sinner saved by grace, I pray that God’s Spirit would deal mercifully with President Obama, a fellow sinner, and open his eyes to see “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

May God grant that the sound of the gospel be effectually heard even within the walls of the White House.

In my opinion, the best thing I can do for my President is pray for him. Believer in Christ, will you join me and pray for our President? Millions are rejoicing, especially Black people. Even if you did not vote for President Obama, can you “rejoice with those who rejoice”? Today was an historic, momentous day in the life of our country. I invite you to rejoice and pray with me.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm in.

Unknown said...

I agree with almost everything you said. I will also join it to pray for the President, as the Bible tells us to do.

What confuses and deeply troubles me is your comment:
"Barack Obama’s Inauguration as President of the United States is a testament to the grace of God. That’s why I celebrate."


Why is his inauguration a testament to the grace of God, in your view? Because of the color of his skin? What does this say about your discernment and priorities for what's truly important for wise leadership? I thought we were supposed to NOT look at the color of a man's skin, but the content of his character . . . right?

I can see a point in the idea that Obama's Inauguration shows that Americans have not chosen to reject a man on the basis of the fact that his skin is dark in color. But I submit to you that voting for a man and rejoicing in his Inauguration, because of the color of his skin, is no less racist than rejecting him because of the color of his skin. Isn't that what the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was trying to get everyone to recognize? It's not about skin color one way or the other! Sadly, I fear that so many will blindly follow what Obama says, for no reason other than the fact that he holds a special position as The First Black President. There is great danger in this tendency. What danger? Seeing color over substance. The danger that some may say (like I heard from occasionally from a belligerant student in my high school classroom whose behavior I was trying to correct), "you just don't like me because I'm black." People in America know that whites have been backed into a corner now. No one wants to be seen as a bigot, and so everyone will think twice before voicing opposition to any of his policies on the basis of actual substance, for fear of opposing the man so many are looking to as the Savior, for fear of being called prejudiced. And when even Christians, who are supposed to be discerning in these matters, are just as caught up in outward appearances as everyone else, who will sound the alarm if he begins to exert a sly, incremental influence away from what is good, true and right? Can this man do any wrong? If he does, will you be able to see it? If he does, will black Christians have the courage to break with the expected party line, risk the silly accusation of being called an Uncle Tom, and simply speak the truth about what really matters?

I submit that celebrating him because he's black demonstrates we've reached a new racist low in America: judging a man by the color of his skin as opposed to the content of his character, and basically putting his skin into office . . . why? Because we can.

If you are skeptical of the truth of what I am saying, as yourself this question: If a white man held his policies, would he have ever been elected? We may never be able to accurately answer that for American voters; as a result of his skin color and the brand name he developed and marketed, his policies got so very little scrutiny. Which proves my point.

Unknown said...

Take a look at what Reformed theologian, author Voddie Baucham has to say on the President's recently unveiled agenda. Voddie Baucham's blog is at www.voddiebaucham.org.