Obama Draws Mixed Emotions
That’s why Tuesday’s inauguration (which hadn’t taken place at the time of this writing) leaves me with mixed emotions, as I’m sure it does for many Americans. On the one hand, I’m filled with a deep sense of pride and history for this moment. It is a truly special thing to witness the first African-American president in American history. It’s the kind of thing you will tell your grandkids about. Not only is it important to symbolically show how far our country has come in terms of racial relations, but it also provides a role model for a lot of minority kids in tough situations.
Yet at the same time, I wish I agreed with him on more issues. This isn’t a political blog, so I don’t plan on going into a lot of details, but like many Christians out there I find myself disagreeing with him on a variety of issues and not looking forward to the potential legislation that will be passed in the next few years.
It’s been a constant back-and-forth battle emotionally for the last week or so. He’s a great orator, but is the content of the speech what we need to hear? He invited evangelical Rick Warren to pray at the inauguration, but he also asked homosexual Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson to pray on Sunday.
I suppose in the end all I can do is what I recommended in an earlier post, to pray for President Barack Obama. Pray that he makes the right decisions, regardless of how they line up with my ideas. Pray that he surrounds himself with good people. Pray that the Lord will grant him great wisdom, insight and energy. Pray that we as Christians will conduct ourselves with grace and truth in the debates that follow his decisions.
What else should we pray for?
posted by Editor at 1:16 PM
19 Comments:
Well said. I disagree with President Obama on most issues but respect him as the POTUS and want him to do well. Wisdom for Mr. Obama in leading this country is my primary prayer.
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I believe God is using Barack to open the door for greater revival in the days to come. First, God is breaking down the walls of division that the "Church fail to do." Secondly, God is bringing America back to a place of true service for the people. Currently, the church is nothing but "Hype" and offers the world really nothing. The world is looking for hope, not hype, that's why they love Barack... As for the issue of Abortion and Homosexuality, watch it decline because of the image we seen in Barack and Obama. An image of Hope that says "I can do better."
Sometimes we fail to see the big picture and get stuck in the mire of limited Christian thinking. Even though it doesn't fit our realm of thinking we need to accept that God chose Barack. There was no way John McCain or Sarah Palin would have brought our country together like Barack and Michelle. Barack just needs our prayer of wisdom and discernment.
I have repeatedly called for Federal Investigations into several deaths: Jean Byers, John Teuber, Pfc. Brian Bradbury, Scott Jett, Landen Reimer, Bertha Selden, and the attempted murder of Mark Selden. Up to this point the CORRUPT FBI has not investigated. They say "It's the nature of the Beast." What I really think they mean by that is 'WE ARE FULLY AWARE THE NATION IS MURDEROUSLY CORRUPT, however, we are going to great lengths to make sure the public doesn't find it out! I will acknowledge the validity of the recent elections and of an honorable president having been elected after the STALLING STOPS and the investigations commence!
STANDING FIRM!!
Deborah Solomon
Independence, MO
I agree race is was the issue. But when I see so many African Americans voting for Obama only because of race I realize we are still a prejudice country. To vote like so many did is racism. Obama's total disregard for life is unacceptable and many Christians seem blind to this. I wonder if his election is a possible judgement on a unfaithful country. I pray for mercy and fear a Obama future.
I think President Obama will attempt to represent, to the best of his ability, the American people. We are a mixed bag of people who serve a lot of different Gods. A hard realtiy that we, as chrisitans, must own up to (and even repent of) is that fact that the majority of the people in this country are not CHRIST centered and do not trust in the same God. Unfortunately many of those individuals fill the churches of America every Sunday. Are we really a "saved" nation? I had to pray for a sister in the Lord whose Pastor told her that if she is a democrat that she's going to hell. What a terrible thing to say and a messed up perspective about salvation.
I beleive President Obama is God's grace extended to us as a nation. I am praying that the presence of God in him impacts everyone he comes in contact with for the Glory of God. That lives will be changed as a result of the love of God that flows through him. That he will always be a vessel available for God's use. I pray that God will use him as a tool (and example to christians everywhere) to reconcile the world unto Christ as we are called to do as Christians.
first time ever post here, so kind of excited about that. Yes, we do need to pray for our new President, no we don't need to pretend to "support" him in all of his ideas. Like the whole "I support the troops,but not their mission" farce, if we say we support President Obama, it means we support his agenda, a radical departure from what our founding fathers intended. So let's pray for his safety and that of his family, and pray that God intervenes where needed to stop harmful policies, that he would get godly wisdom from people around him (how about that Rick Warren, Billy Graham's replacement as confidant to Presidents?), and that he would have the courage to stand against even people in his own party to do the right thing.
For Anonymous who said: I agree race is was the issue. But when I see so many African Americans voting for Obama only because of race I realize we are still a prejudice country. To vote like so many did is racism. Obama's total disregard for life is unacceptable and many Christians seem blind to this. I wonder if his election is a possible judgement on a unfaithful country. I pray for mercy and fear a Obama future.
How can you truly say this election was about race, and basically laying the issue of race at the feet of Black people? How can you truly say you "saw so many African-Americans voting for Obama", but did not realize and see that a large portion of White Americans voted for him as well. And to be honest if only African-Americans had voted for him, Obama would not have been elected as President seeing that Blacks only make up about 12% of our country.
Nevertheless, I will not pretend to support all that Obama supports. But I do agree with you that America is possible under judgment from the Lord. But I believe the election of Obama is both fulfillment and judgment together for America. Obama becoming President could be fulfillment of Dr. King's dream and the prayers of many Blacks for over 300 years of slavery, oppression, abuse and even death that looked for the day things would get better in this nation and they would overcome as a people. The judgment could be that despite the desires of some in this nation who hated and opposed the idea of African-Americans becoming equals and having the same opportunities, rights and priviliges to succeed. So it is possible God elevated this man as a symbol of His nature to lift up the oppressed and to have them overcome.
By the way, when will America receive its judgment from God for years of slavery, the abuse, beating and killing of slaves. The killings, abuse and racial injustice during the Jim Crow era and then the subsequent racial prejudice and injustices toward African Americans even following the Civil Rights movement? How is it that as believers fully expect judgment on America for abortion and homosexuality, but do not even consider it for slavery and racial prejudice, bigotryand injustice. God judged Egypt for slavery of Israel after over 400 years
Lastly, if Obama has such a disregard for life, why does he and his wife have two children themselves? I find it amazing that we as Christians have for the last several years believe that God's righteousness and total agenda is in regards to eliminating abortion and homosexuality, when we have not dealt with the sins in the camp of the believers. We have yet to get the plank out of our on eye, but we only see the speck in other's eye(Matthew 7:1-6 NKJV). In 2Chronicles 7:14, the Lord when His people "turn from their wicked ways", then He would hear from Heaven and heal our land.
Could it be God is not answering our prayers for these sins because we in the church have not repented and turned from ours. Judgment begins at the House of the Lord I Peter 4:17
Let us pray for our new President, our nation and the Body of Christ, the Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God in the earth and that represent the righteousness of God in Christ.
The Rod Man
I realize that this is probably far too long to be posted. However this is what the Lord has laid upon my heart to say. Please let me first say how horrible it is for a pastor to imply, far less tell, someone that their salvation is based on a political party. I am a conservative veteran of the USMC and have always voted republican for their moral views. However I could never say that Democrats are going to hell. I do not think President Obama is pulling this country together in race or any other matter. I have LONG believed that the Marine Corps could teach the civilian sector a LOT about racism. Though I will not say it did not exist there I know for a fact that it was MUCH less wide spread. We were taught from boot camp that everyone is green. There were no races, only brothers helping brothers. Though that may not have been initiated by a Christian it is certainly a Christian principle. I think that President Obama had a perfect opportunity to show America that race does not matter. Being of half white and half black ancestry he could have easily told racists from all directions that he is equal genetically and therefore impartial to race on all sides. However, I think he is adding fuel to the fire for racism. The Tuskegee Airmen are an honorable group of veterans. They are, however, not the only men that fought in that war. What he did was single out a race. In my lifetime I have seen veterans as a whole, not as a race, honored for their service. No one can say that this is the first time the Tuskegee Airmen have been recognized for what they gave to and for their country. Obviously there is a fantastic movie about them. To get past something you do not keep making it the main issue. Race became a huge factor in the democratic primary and then just picked up speed from there. It went from a gender race to an ethnic race. We all know that many African Americans and some Caucasians voted for president Obama based on his skin color. Are the Caucasian genes in him evil? Are they any less a part of him than the African American genes? In all actuality his Caucasian grandmother is the one that took care of him when he was abandoned by everyone else. The true historic opportunity to squash racism is being squandered by a successful attempt to promote one portion of his race. Let me say that both races are losing the race. Why are African American pastors saying that African Americans are now finally free? Do they not believe that their true freedom came on a cross through the blood of Christ at the same time mine did? Is the problem really that even pastors see their bondage and freedom given and taken away by men? Might pastors and congregations need to be reminded of I Cor 7:21-24? “Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather. For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant. Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men. Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.” Though this passage was relating to marriage I believe as a Christian that freedom is universal in the Kingdom of God. The true thing to be done is to drop the entire racial issue. America is passing a hate on from generation to generation. That goes for many races. Civil rights were passed in the 1960's. Read that date again. Do you not find it hard to believe that supposed Christian leaders are keeping this an issue? This is not a biased towards any ethnic group. I know that, being a Baptist, there is racist white Baptist. We are not called to conform to the world. Our supposed Christian leaders are as much, if not more, responsible for this than their flocks. We currently have Latina pastors promoting illegal immigration. What happened to God's Word telling us that though we are His children we have to live by the law of the land? Did Christ Himself not say to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s? Do we truly believe that Christ is in control of "all" things? Whether I like him or not as a leader, it is my Christian duty to pray for and obey the government run by president Barrack Obama. I assure you that is exactly what I teach in Sunday school and in my personal life. When will Christians learn to see the world and their circumstances through the lenses of the one true living God? When will we, especially Christians, learn that everyone is "green"? This nation has voted in a president that is for same sex marriage. Civil union may be the term preferred by his staff but it is same sex marriage. He is in support of abortion. We have taken the lives of 28 million of Gods creations through abortion in this country. We have commercials that applaud one night stands. We promote fornication through a "safe sex" message. "We know you are going to do it anyway so just be safe about it". My bible is FULL of places where God said no to his children and demanded obedience. Then again God is always watching His children and Americans are seldom watching theirs. There is No doubt in my mind that God has allowed Barrack Obama to be our president. Hey, wait ...do you have an account in your bible of a nation asking for a King after God told them no? Didn’t He allow them to have a king anyway? How did that work out for them? Just because God allows something to happen does not mean that it will be what you thought. It does not mean that there are not undesirable circumstances. Do we not believe that God has allowed the enemy to walk about seeking whom he may devour? How is that working for us? People in this country hang on "every" word the pastor says instead of hanging on every Word of God. American Christians should spend at least a month straight praying over and seeking illumination on Acts chapter 17 and permanently put into practice verse 11. I too believe that this country is under judgment. We all need to remember that "every" knee shall bow and "every" tongue shall confess. It is like Christians do not believe that there will be consequences for their sins. Too many Christians act as if they believe that because they have their "salvation card" in their back pocket that God is going to turn off the pilot light on the refining fire when it is their turn to pass through. I would like to close this novel with two recollections from the movie "Remember the Titans". The first is from Denzel Washington on the team’s long run through the woods. He reminded them of how the battle ground there was covered with the blood of brother killing brother. He told them how they must stand together even as the world told them they had to go in another direction. He told them that they had to come together right there on that hallowed ground. Second is the quote from Julius to Gerry, "Attitude reflects leadership, Captain". Where do my brothers stand, in righteousness or in race? Where do our pastors stand, in attitude or the Beatitudes? Where are all of my "green" brothers and sisters?
I really wish Chris Glazier had done a little Bible reading before making this post. Even a cursory glance at II Corinthians 6:14 would have rendered a completely different result.
Mr. Obama supports the abortion holocaust and the abomination of homosexuality. Yet we read about how the author is caught up in the moment of Obama.
Oh, and by the way, he's a little bit fuzzy on some things that are really important to God. It stuns me that a blog like this, which is linked off Charisma's main page, can so stunningly miss the point and be exactly 180 degrees off point.
We are called as Christians to spread the Gospel and our first test of a leader must be whether he or she is willing to stand up for the things of God. Clearly, through his policies and his associations, the answer in the case of Barack Obama is a clear and convincing "no".
Yet too many posters on this blog and even Mr. Glazier himself, do not see this. One poster even suggested that Obama is an expression of God's grace. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Barack Obama is God's warning to the United States. Acts 10:34 makes it quite clear that God is no respecter of persons - but it seems that too many "feel good" posters here are exactly that. We are caught up, as a nation, with powers and principalities (Ephesians 6:12) and our main purpose is obscured.
With apologies for my frankness, Charisma magazine should be embarrassed to link to this blog post.
I think we are doing a whole lot better than before and this is only the second full day THIS IS THE KIND OF CHANGE WE NEED and the people that disagree are the ones afraid of ACCOUNTIBILITY AND THATS THE VERY THING OUR GOVERMENT HAS LACKED THE PAST 8 YEARS
I don't really know how to respond to this blog, and the posts so far. One poster actually claimed God will use Obama to bring revival, and that we could see God in him. Well God will use Obama to bring revival, but not in the way this poster thinks. God will use Obama to bring revival int his country because eyes will be opened to the audacity, the evil, and the idolatrous nature of men.
We have created a God of our own making, and this God says all the politically correct, tolerant nonsense that spews out of Obamas mouth. I don't see how a Christian could stand on the side of FOCA, and abortion. I don't see how a Christian can stand on the side of homosexuality. Yet this is what Obama stands for.
I agree that part of this election was a bout race considering some 90+ % of all blacks voted for him, but it is a little to late for that, and that shouldn't matter anyway. If he is the best man for the job, color shouldn't matter.
What really amazes me is the little things he does that go unnoticed by most people. Like how he claims he and his government will be smarter spenders, and spend less. He is saying this as he is inaugurated with the most expensive(4 times more expensive than any other) inaugural ball in the history of this country. This after he raised hundreds of millions and spent hundreds of millions on his campaign, and then had the gall to ask his supporters to raise money to help pay of the 10 million dollar debt Hillary rang up for her campaign. She overspends and we need to pay for it? Hmmmmh, sounds like we are in for real change huh?
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For all of you who say God is going to judge America because of homosexuality and abortion, let me ask Native Americans what they think.
Furthermore, I have many black friends and denounce the belief that many of them voted for Barack because of race. We tend to forget that when Sharpton and Jackson ran for president they could not get half of the Black vote...I am a Republican I voted for Barack because I saw a man who was intelligent, fair, and a uniter of people. So to my white friends get over the race factor...it doesn't work anymore.
I am really not 100% sure what Chris meant with his comment about Native Americans, abortion, homosexuality and God's judgment. I am curious to here that explanation so there is no misunderstanding. To Vistonary 2008 who said that this is the kind of change that we need and those of us that disagree with President Obama's stances are afraid of accountability, for Chris in saying that we would see homosexuality and abortion decline based on the image of President Obama. First, President Obama elevated the homosexual agenda and lifestyle by trying to appease the gay community when he went back and selected a gay Bishop due to their public outcry of the choice of Rick Warren. An openly gay U.S. politician said that Rick Warren was not deserving of the respect of that privilege. Does the fact that Rick Warren is opposed to the sin of homosexuality mean that he is undeserving of respect? Does his following of God's word leave him undeserving of respect as a man and spiritual leader? I do not know how you feel but I am certain that the honor of being around a man praying to the one true living God is all mine. To be in the presence of communication with God is an honor to any Christian. Might I remind you that the bishop made a statement in his interview BEFORE the inauguration that he did not know what he was going to say but he did KNOW that it was not going to come from the bible? He said this is not a time for people to be given verses from the bible; this is a time for coming together of all beliefs and all people. When is NOT a good time for God's word to be spoken? When more than now has this country been further away from God? Second, did you see the news yesterday where President Obama lifted the ban on overseas abortion funding? This was done in his third day. That is why pro-life members were in D.C. two days after his inauguration. They knew that he was going to act swiftly on that legislation because he had said it in the primaries with Clinton. On the third day Christ rose, on the third day Obama promoted the murder of unborn children. How well does that represent what God wants from His children? It makes no difference that they want to use the stem cells to help paralyzed people walk again. It is FACT that the majority of these stem cells are still going to go from abortion procedures. By the way, yesterday the FDA approved stem sell drug tests to help cure paralysis. Is that coincidental timing? Do supposed Christians forget that Christ told the disciples that neither the blind man nor his parents had sinned? All things are for the glory of GOD. Do Christians believe or not that God is in control of all things. I have a 72 year old mother with Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s living with my wife and me. Neither I nor my mother would trade an abortion to correct her end stage disease. We just pray that He receive glory in this. "Through my weakness He is made strong." The scriptures tell us to love the sinner and hate the sin. Loving the sinner DOES NOT by any Christ-like manner include condoning nor partaking in the sin.
I have to agree with anonymus, I'm not quite sure what Chris meant about the Native American comment. In the 1950's Carle Zimmerman wrote a book on the rise and fall of every great empire in the world. His conclusion in the book was that the rise of homosexuality and the decline of the family was the fall of each of the empire's. Look around you pay attention to God's word. The thigs that are openly practiced and accepted in the U.S. are an abomination to Him and we have now a president who endorses them. Remember what Jesus said about the children that it would be better that a mill stone be tied around you neck and thrown into the sea than to hurt on of the little ones. Does it not scare you to death that we are funding the murder of millions of children. It's our money that he is using to do this with. 99% of all abortions are out of convience how sad and we continue to set idley by why they murder.
As christians I beleive we are called to live a sanctified life. One that is set apart for the glory of God. It's a PERSONAL committment that each of us have to make to the Lord. I can't impose my "santified" life style on people who aren't Chrisitans. Why? Because they can't live a sanctified life without the Holy Spirit and one can't have the Holy Spirit without accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
My expection of people of the world is that they will follow their leader, whose purpose is to kill, steal and destroy. They can't live a godly life on their own or because we (Chrisitans) make a demand of them to do so. We protest and are mad at them because they sin and do things like have abortions. How can we expect (even demand) non Chrisitans to act like Chrisitans? Until they come to accept Jesus Christ, learn of him, and walk in his statues we can't expect anything else from them.
Instead of protesting against things like abortions (just to name a few) why do we not only embrace the great commission but also DO It. We know it's going to take a great sacrifice on our part because this kind is only going to come out through fasting and prayer (lots of it). So WE MUST FIRST and fast and pray then go out and LOVE the UNLOVABLE into the kingdom of God. What a wonderful way to combat the abortion issue. Get some folks saved and on fire for God and abortion will be the last thing on their minds!
The bible notes that the land would be healed if we, the people of God, would humble ourselves and pray, and turn from our wicked ways, and seek the face of the Lord. We can't always say we're cursed because of what people in the world are doing, we have a greater responsibility as Chrisitans to intercede for the world and ask for God's grace instead of declaring his judgement. It's our call to not only pray but to repent.
I noticed a statement that someone was disappointed because so many African- Americans voted for Obama and thus derived that racism still exists in America. If voting for a candidate based off race is the best evidence of racism one can find then this country is light years ahead of where it was 20 -30 40 years ago. What about the millions of caucasions who DID NOTE VOTE FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA because of his race and still won't support or pray for him for the same reason. NO I do not agree with aiding abortions financially or otherwise but I do agree and believe that President Obama is The Lord's man for this time. When Samuel went to anoint the next king of Israel no one thought to look at David as the Lord's choice. The Lord is using what was once looked upon as not worthy for His Glory and will and real and positive change in this country. Even as king David made horrible mistakes and sins against God yet the people of history still supported and celebrated him as well as modern day christians despite him being a murderer and adulterer. Pray the the Lord takes total control of President Obama's heart and that President Obams has God's heart. Then His favor will rest on him and thus this country. Hopefully, real racism in the country will diminish to a point that it will not hinder the progress still necessary in this country of ours.
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