Prayer is non-partisan

And unconditional, if it is to be true.

The folks in media and politics who would now like to be rid of the “religious right” completely neglect to take into account the “religious left” and their role in President-elect Obama’s win.

Politics have changed dramatically, and religion is now fully engaged in the process. As the NCRegister proclaims, “In God We Still Trust”.

Most Americans probably think it’s no big deal that Barack Obama and John McCain both invoked God’s blessings at the conclusion of their election night speeches.

In fact, in a way it’s a big deal precisely because it’s no big deal.

In America, it remains entirely appropriate for political leaders to display a religious faith.

Not so in most other Western democracies, as Tom McFeely points out, and he quotes Italian priest Fr. Piero Gheddo on this.

“The United States, with all of its personal and collective defects and sins, is essentially a Christian country, in which religion is at the basis of popular sensibility, the national culture is respectful of religion, and the presence of religion is widespread and much more broadly shared than in Europe.”

Prayer vigils were held across the country in the final two months of the campaign, asking for God’s will to be done in the US election, and for the protection and rights of all human beings “from conception to natural death”.

Christian leaders are calling on their congregations to continue praying now, for President-elect Obama, because prayer is non-partisan and God is omnipotent.

Many emails have come in on this, before the election and since. Today, Deb sent one that’s apparently making the e-blast rounds. She prefaced it with this personal note: “I don’t know who wrote this but I sure can relate. McCain & Palin got 46% of the popular vote. That means that there are quite a lot of Americans (myself included) who are trying to realign their hearts and minds to our new president elect.  There is a lot of healing that can happen for all of us but it will take time and prayer.  I’m up for the challenge!”

In that spirit of goodwill, faith and hope, here are “10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama” (some are abbreviated):

1. Pray for Obama’s protection.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live
under constant media scrutiny.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God’s wisdom. God rewarded Solomon
because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance
on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his
priorities like that. Despite Solomon’s tragic character flaws, his
legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same
grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders
became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of
fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will
guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders
cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because
they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his
counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on
godly character and proven wisdom.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply
divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the
presidency…Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all
political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians
have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s
some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some
who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even
though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions
abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Pray that no foreign government [or] terrorist organization…will use Obama as a tool.

9. Pray that Obama’s door will remain open to the church.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God’s peace and blessing during
the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers
to pray for all in authority “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet
life in all godliness and dignity”…

This prayer has appeal for all Americans who truly believe in President-elect Obama’s commitment to serve “the least of these”, which he cited in multiple press appearances. And the ultimate meaning of his commitment to hope, not for some, but for all.