On this week of the National Day of Prayer, it's important that we review what the Bible teaches on
praying for our leaders. 1st Timothy 2 says:
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
praying for our leaders. 1st Timothy 2 says:
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
So, we recognize that these leaders are placed there by the Lord - we, the people, vote, but we also know that God is sovereign over the result. So, we accept those elected and appointed leaders as people who "appointed by God," and He desires to use them for His purposes. We also see that we are to pray for those leaders - we can pray that they will intersect with God's will and His wisdom, so that God's people might be free to live in the manner that pleases the Lord.
I believe the Scriptures teach that we are to pray for our communities and our leaders. In Jeremiah 29:7, we can read:
7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.
Yesterday was the first day of May, celebrated as May Day, and it has historically become an occasion for people to, well, protest. And, there were thousands across America who were more than happy to oblige. Liberty McArtor at The Stream wrote that yesterday was also observed as Loyalty Day, which was established in 1921, officially made an annual observance by Congress in 1958. President Trump made a proclamation to “recognize and reaffirm our allegiance to the principles upon which our Nation is built.” He encouraged buildings to fly American flags.
She pointed out that:
There was yesterday, May Day. On Earth Day, there was the so-called "March for Science," somehow alleging that the Administration's policies were anti-scientific. Climate change, or global warming as it used to be called, was a key point. However, there are many scientists that do not embrace the popular theories of man-made global warming.
You also had Tax Day the weekend before that - people called on the President to release his tax returns, as if they would find some sort of nefarious information there. There was the Day Without a Woman on March 8, where women were encouraged to stay home from work. On Presidents' Day, there was "Not My President's Day." Also in February, you had the Day Without Immigrants. There were the protests at airport to protest the Administration's refugee policy, released in January. And, of course, there were the Marches for Women on the day after the Inauguration, which brought its own protests. There are assorted other protests that have risen up along the way; college campuses are erupting with violence against speakers with whom some students disagree. Town hall meetings with members of Congress have become more cantankerous.
And, there's this little set of facts from MarketWatch:
Should we show approval for the causes we agree with? Absolutely! And, disapproval for those with which we disagree. We have the incredible right to respectfully petition our leaders. But, there are several concepts which seem to be missing when you consider the wave of protests you see in America.
One seems to be information. For instance, the Heritage Foundation was the target of a protest the other day, and no one was willing to talk with a reporter for the Daily Signal, which is the Heritage media arm, about why they were there, which seemed to be a protest against the proposed Federal budget. Are there clear goals of these protests, or are people out there because its the "thing to do?" For instance, the Women's March had some 16 goals or purposes; some of which did not have anything to do with women. Misinformation can lead to anger and agitation, good information can lead to reasoned and responsible action.
Another is civility. Read the signs, hear the words, examine the attitudes. One may disagree with the President, but there is a lack of respect that is shown among many. Shouting, chanting, expressing anger - what do people expect to accomplish by behaving this way?
And, in light of another set of large gatherings coming up this week, I wanted to emphasize what the Bible has to say with respect to shaping public policy. We are called to pray for our leaders. We can pray for wisdom, for clarity of thought, for God's hand to be upon our President, Governor, Mayors, and various legislative and judicial bodies. The National Day of Prayer, which was established by Congress in 1952 and designated as the first Thursday of May in 1988 by President Reagan, gives Christians an opportunity to gather together and acknowledge God - not in protest, but in peaceful prayer. This year, like never before, Christians have the opportunity to show how to reflect an attitude of humility and dependence on God. Now, should we reach out to our leaders regarding policy matters? Absolutely, firm in our convictions, but civil in our approach. And, there may be a time to gather, even to march, but always, standing strong in faith, with a posture in our hearts that is consistent with being on our knees.
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I believe the Scriptures teach that we are to pray for our communities and our leaders. In Jeremiah 29:7, we can read:
7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.
Yesterday was the first day of May, celebrated as May Day, and it has historically become an occasion for people to, well, protest. And, there were thousands across America who were more than happy to oblige. Liberty McArtor at The Stream wrote that yesterday was also observed as Loyalty Day, which was established in 1921, officially made an annual observance by Congress in 1958. President Trump made a proclamation to “recognize and reaffirm our allegiance to the principles upon which our Nation is built.” He encouraged buildings to fly American flags.
She pointed out that:
It was set for May 1 in order to counter the International Workers Day, originally a socialist initiative. “May Day,” as it’s usually called, is often marked with marches and protests.Fox News reported that:
More than 40 arrests were made Monday as tens of thousands across the country chanted, picketed and protested against President Trump’s immigration and labor policies on May Day.
Police in Portland, Ore., shut down a protest that they said had become a riot after marchers began throwing smoke bombs and other items at officers. Police made 25 arrests, including a 14-year-old who was charged with rioting.It does seem that protesting has become a way of life in the age of Trump. I set out to find a list of the protests that have occurred this year beginning on Inauguration Day. The list I found is from Wikipedia, but this does track with my memories of some of the occasions. So here are just some of these events:
There was yesterday, May Day. On Earth Day, there was the so-called "March for Science," somehow alleging that the Administration's policies were anti-scientific. Climate change, or global warming as it used to be called, was a key point. However, there are many scientists that do not embrace the popular theories of man-made global warming.
You also had Tax Day the weekend before that - people called on the President to release his tax returns, as if they would find some sort of nefarious information there. There was the Day Without a Woman on March 8, where women were encouraged to stay home from work. On Presidents' Day, there was "Not My President's Day." Also in February, you had the Day Without Immigrants. There were the protests at airport to protest the Administration's refugee policy, released in January. And, of course, there were the Marches for Women on the day after the Inauguration, which brought its own protests. There are assorted other protests that have risen up along the way; college campuses are erupting with violence against speakers with whom some students disagree. Town hall meetings with members of Congress have become more cantankerous.
And, there's this little set of facts from MarketWatch:
Americans spent $4.1 million on poster and foam boards from Jan. 15 to Jan. 21 ($2.2 million for poster boards and $1.9 for foam) in the run-up to President Trump’s inauguration and the subsequent protests, according to research firm NPD Group. That rose to $6 million when you account for paint markers, easel pads, flip charts, fabric paint, staple guns, plier staplers, and other specialty craft products related to signs.There is certainly nothing wrong with people legitimately exercising their First Amendment rights, engaging in peaceful protest. And, you can speculate that many of these events are highly organized, meant to manipulate public opinion. You hear the word "resistance," in association with this movement. Are some people paid to protest? You could make that case, when you examine the activities of the likes of George Soros, who has engaged in what one of my guests termed, "street theater."
Should we show approval for the causes we agree with? Absolutely! And, disapproval for those with which we disagree. We have the incredible right to respectfully petition our leaders. But, there are several concepts which seem to be missing when you consider the wave of protests you see in America.
One seems to be information. For instance, the Heritage Foundation was the target of a protest the other day, and no one was willing to talk with a reporter for the Daily Signal, which is the Heritage media arm, about why they were there, which seemed to be a protest against the proposed Federal budget. Are there clear goals of these protests, or are people out there because its the "thing to do?" For instance, the Women's March had some 16 goals or purposes; some of which did not have anything to do with women. Misinformation can lead to anger and agitation, good information can lead to reasoned and responsible action.
Another is civility. Read the signs, hear the words, examine the attitudes. One may disagree with the President, but there is a lack of respect that is shown among many. Shouting, chanting, expressing anger - what do people expect to accomplish by behaving this way?
And, in light of another set of large gatherings coming up this week, I wanted to emphasize what the Bible has to say with respect to shaping public policy. We are called to pray for our leaders. We can pray for wisdom, for clarity of thought, for God's hand to be upon our President, Governor, Mayors, and various legislative and judicial bodies. The National Day of Prayer, which was established by Congress in 1952 and designated as the first Thursday of May in 1988 by President Reagan, gives Christians an opportunity to gather together and acknowledge God - not in protest, but in peaceful prayer. This year, like never before, Christians have the opportunity to show how to reflect an attitude of humility and dependence on God. Now, should we reach out to our leaders regarding policy matters? Absolutely, firm in our convictions, but civil in our approach. And, there may be a time to gather, even to march, but always, standing strong in faith, with a posture in our hearts that is consistent with being on our knees.
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