March 6, 2011
Background Scripture: Mark 8:27-98:11 Timothy 2:1-6; 3:14-16
Devotional Reading: Hebrews 8:6-12

As I write these words, the people of Egypt are in violent conflict over the reign of President Mubarak. People around the world are questioning why our government – and others – have supported and been friendly to this dictatorial and corrupt regime.

In our daily paper there was a letter to the editor in which 1 Timothy 2:1-6 is quoted: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions …” (2:1-2). How should we apply that to President Mubarak?

As I write this, he is still president, but by the time you read it, he may have been toppled. Should we pray for this man? Should Egyptian Christians pray for him? Should Christians pray for bad rulers?

If we pray for the ruler, just or unjust, we are the recipients of God’s blessings. One reason to pray for the just and unjust alike is “so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectable in every way.” A just and righteous king benefits all citizens and if a bad king does a good thing, all of us benefit.
So, whether rulers are “good” or not, God desires that we pray for them. Not that we agree with or approve what they do. Agreeing with or supporting rulers is not the key, but God’s will is: “This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Mubarak may or may not be a bad ruler, but God desires to save him as much as He wants to save us.

What God desires

I am not focusing on the Egyptian crisis, however, but upon our own: Our political life in these United States has been distorted as “the good guys versus the bad guys.” Obviously, my party is the “good guys” and its opponents are the “bad guys.”

Elections are conducted not on the basis of reasoned issues, but the demonization of  “the other guy” and his or her party. People say that politics has always been conducted on this level, but I think it shameful that after 235 years of our nation, we are still slugging it out, “no holds barred.”
That is not the republic envisioned in our Constitution. That is not God’s will for the followers of Christ.

So I propose a little experiment: If you are a Republican, pray for President Obama, and, if you are a Democrat, pray for some of the Republican leaders. Why would anyone want to do anything so “crazy?” Because, Timothy says, God wills it. He does not suggest it, or say “You might kind of like to try this.” 1 Timothy tells us God desires it.

Furthermore, I can personally recommend it. During the last administration, I prayed for President Bush. At present, I pray for President Obama. I did not ask that God should make President Bush a Democrat, or that President Obama should become a Republican. I ask that God will guide and direct and use leaders of both parties for the good of our nation and the glorification of the God we profess.

Our republic is more important than either party and God wants to save both Democrats and Republicans. So isn’t being an American more important that being a Democrat or Republican? And isn’t being a Christian more important than either?

Difference of opinion
*At the present moment, my wife, Valere, is a patient in a Dallas hospital, attempting to recover from a triple bypass surgery that produced multi-organ failure. A church member whose views, I’m told, are radically different from mine, has shown such concern for my wife and kindness to me during her recent bypass surgery.

He solicited prayers for her and repeatedly asked what he could do for me, so that I feel he has demonstrated that Christians are, and are meant by God to be, one in the Lord despite their politics or their theology.

Further, I believe that Christians who allow their political, theological or social views to divide the Body of Christ are guilty of violating the will of God. In the past, I have at times been thus guilty. In the present and future, I vow to remember that “there is one God,” and let nothing divide me from brothers and sisters in Christ. Perhaps you’ve tried the other way; why not give God’s way a try?

*Valere Fuller Althouse passed away Feb. 7, 2011

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.