Can someone of the Muslim faith call for jihad against Christians on American soil and be protected by our right to free speech? Can a Christian speak from their Holy book, the Bible without being accused of hating non-Christians? Can someone who is extreme in any faith or creed cause laws to be enacted, taking away the freedom of peaceful Americans due to the actions of less than 100 Americans? These are all hot topics among Christians today. So much so that we are reacting with emotion to defend our faith, and not always reacting the way Christ would have us react.
A recent news story caught my attention, not because of the validity of the source, and not because it was extremely well written. It caught my attention because Christians became incensed by the situation described in the story. Many Christians believed the story was yet another example of the world taking a jab at the Bible and at praying for our nation. I was excited to read the story and was ready to write letters to my congressmen and representatives about how horrible the persecution of Christians is becoming in our society.
One of the comments I read about this story said that it is just another example of the world twisting the Word of God. After reading the story, I was sad. Not because of biblical sensorship, or the world twisting a book so inspired by the God I love and serve; but because it is another example of Christians taking the Word out of context, using it for twisted purposes and disregarding the way the Bible says we are to live as followers of Christ.
The story, which is continuing in Florida, talks about a deputy sheriff who received an email about Psalm 109 being “The Obama Prayer.” Verse 8 (NKJV) says, “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” In itself, that may not seem that bad. Many Christians are praying that our current administration doesn’t see a second term in office. That is completely in line with our rights as Americans, and it is in line with scripture, to pray for our leadership to be Godly. However, in context, this passage is not benign. Verses 9 through 15 say this, “Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.”
What in these verses is the way we should be praying for our President? What in these verses is appropriate for us to pray for anyone? Are we as Christians allowed to take the word of God and twist it for our own, very fleshly, irritation? Yet, get angry with those who are blind to its truth when they can’t understand it? “The Obama Prayer,” is supposedly a joke, I’m not sure I think anything of this nature should be considered funny. Are we so busy being defensive about our faith that we are willing to find prayers of peril for others entertaining?
The deputy at the center of this story reportedly admits that the joke was in poor taste. He did not start the email and it will likely circulate for many months, as this type of trash usually does.
I am not a supporter of the ideals of Mr. Obama. I am not planning to vote for him in the future, nor did I vote for him in the election that brought him into office. However, as an American Christian, I am obligated to respect the office of the land, in this case, the President of the United States, regardless of whether I agree with him or not. I am not talking about obedience as much as I am talking about love.
Matthew 5:44 tells me to love my enemies and to pray those who persecute me. It does not say to pray for their demise, but for them to be blessed. Perhaps “The Obama Prayer” should be taken from Numbers, 6:24. (NKJV) The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
If our President had the face of God shining on him, and if the Lord lifted up His countenance on him and gave Mr. Obama the peace that passes understanding, the peace that only comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I can assure you that his presidential decisions would be changed.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
If we are going to have the heart of Christ toward our leaders, and truly pray for them in the way God would have us pray, isn’t their salvation going to be first on our hearts rather than their demise?
Certainly we should use our freedom of speech to voice our concerns over the laws of the land. Write to your congressmen, senators and representatives, attend ralleys, sign petitions, pray without ceasing. Just be sure your heart is right as you walk in the Holy Spirit to be a voice in the desert, declaring the way of the Lord.
To read the article I am referencing in this blog you may use this link. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=247085
Well said! I did not see this article, nor do I wish to read it, but I think that we should indeed pray for our leaders. I too did not vote for Obama, nor will I vote for him in the next election. I will however pray for him.
ReplyDeleteThe area where we live in recently had another situation where a Rev. Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church were planning on protesting a local soldiers funeral and many were praying for the death of Phelps and his followers or were saying that they had no right to protest these funerals. Where I personally believe that it ia horrific that they would choose to protest these heroes funerals, I also believe in the freedoms that so many young men and women have died to protect. and I believe that we should be praying for Phelps and his followers, that they find the true love of God.
Great blog!