It's a new season in America. The page of history has been turned, and a new president has been elected. The peaceful transition of power is unfolding before our very eyes as President Obama exits 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and the new president, Donald Trump, arrives.
Regardless of which candidate won your personal vote, Donald Trump is now the 45th president of the greatest country that has ever existed in all of human history. Whether you voted for him or not, he is your president if your current address is in the United States of America.
The election was divisive and contentious; the results of this election were surprising and historic. However, on Jan. 20, 2017, it is vital we join our hearts as Americans and as Christians to support President Trump in prayer.
I didn't vote for Barack Obama, but I honored him as our president, and I prayed for him and his family daily. It was a privilege to fulfill my God-given duty to pray for the man who was chosen to be our 44th president by the vote of the people of this nation. I didn't always agree with President Obama's policies, but I listened to his heart and petitioned heaven for his safety, for eternal wisdom and for his heart to be joined with the God of heaven. God commanded me to do it, so I obeyed.
The apostle Peter and the Holy Spirit have a strong message for those who wonder how to treat a ruler with whom they don't agree. "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king" (1 Pet. 2:17).
Peter was calling on all of the believers in his generation to honor Nero, who was compulsive and corrupt. Nero was known to have dipped Christians in oil and set them on fire in his garden at night as a source of light. And yet Peter, the fisherman and the rock on whom Christ built His church, calls men and women of every generation to honor the king.
Honor looks past the person to the position. You can treat a person with honor even if you don't agree politically, philosophically or theologically with that person.
Paul, the great theologian and writer, had a profound impact on the life of a young man by the name of Timothy. After his first imprisonment, at the hand of a corrupt government, these were the words that Paul wrote to Timothy:
"Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
The words of Paul ricochet through the centuries and remind us that when we pray for those who are in authority, the blessing comes back to the one who has prayed. When a man or a woman chooses to pray for the president, God will bless that particular prayer warrior with a peaceful and quiet life.
It is time for America to lay aside the divisive election of 2016 and to cover our new president with prayer. I will pray. Will you?
"Father God in heaven, we ask You to bless President Donald Trump and Vice President Pence. We ask you to bestow on them heaven's wisdom and heaven's power. We ask You, Father, to protect them from harm, to protect their families and to use these men to lead this great nation. We ask You, Lord Jesus, to give them hearts of compassion and kindness that is uncommon. In Jesus' name I pray, amen." 
Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books, including No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart and Defiant Joy! Her most recent book, Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire, was released last August. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol's "A Jolt of Joy" program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at justjoyministries.com.
Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Dr. Mark Rutland's
National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)
The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!
FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.
Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like you’re not growing? Do you need help from an expert in leadership? There is no other leadership training like the NICL. Gain the leadership skills and confidence you need to lead your church, business or ministry. Get ready to accomplish all of your God-given dreams. CLICK HERE for NICL training dates and details.The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.
