Obama Admits That He Needs Prayer

Following is my first letter to Obama since the Nov. 2012 election. 

Dear Mr. President

Election Day is history.   To say that you were not my choice is an understatement.  In fact I believe that you will do serious harm to this country’s economy and our constitution.  But regardless of how I feel about the outcome, the legitimacy of your eligibility, or even the honesty of the votes, you are, once again, the president and we now must endure your administration until the next election.  Like it or not, God's Word charges Christians to pray for all those in positions of leadership and authority over us.  That especially includes you. “Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God.  This is good, and it pleases God our Savior” ( I Tim. 2:2-3)  

Today (Sunday, November 18, 2012) on your trip to Bangkok, you jokingly suggested that you could use some prayer.  You have no idea how right you are.  The problem is that prayer is not a joking matter.  You also quipped, "I always believe in prayer.  If a Buddhist monk is wishing me well, I'm going to take whatever good vibes he can give me to try to deal with some challenges back home."

Well Mr. President, you have declared yourself to be a Christian and have professed faith in Jesus Christ.  If that is true, you should know that “good vibes from a Buddhist monk” are worthless if not blasphemous; the Only One and True God is the only God who can help you.

If, on the other hand, your profession of Christian faith is without substance, I must tell you that the Lord God will not hear any prayer from you except the prayer of repentance from sin and a cry unto the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you and save you.  Many Christians I know are praying that He would reveal Himself to you to that end, that you might be saved.

As for your recognition that you are standing in need of prayer and in response to your asking for it, I hereby confess that I have failed to do what God expects of me regarding your presiding over the affairs of this country.  So over the next four years, I will endeavor to regularly hold you up in prayer.  Here are several specific ways that I, and many other Christians, will be praying for you:

1.               I pray that you will realize your inadequacies for the responsibilities you face and that you will recognize your personal sinfulness.

2.               I pray that you will truly depend upon God for the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and courage needed for leadership.

3.               I pray that you will reject all the counsel and advice of others that violates biblical principles.       

4.               I pray that God would enable you to resist temptations and pressures to violate your conscience.

5.               I pray that you will set aside your own personal ambitions for the sake of the best interest of the people, the good of their precincts, and the work of God.

6.               I pray that you would be quick to seek God and rely on His Word as the source of your strength and the key to real success.

7.               I pray that you will act carefully to maintain trustworthiness and righteousness in your office and that you will strive to guard the dignity, honor, and reputation of your position.

8.               I pray that you will be a good example to others in your speech and conduct while carrying out your responsibilities.

9.               I pray that you will remember that you will be held personally accountable to God for your attitudes, actions, and motives while serving your constituents.

10.            And finally, I pray that you will seek the Lord while He may be found and turn to Him for the salvation of your soul.

Respectfully,

Ralph M. Petersen