Yesterday President Obama, along with Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bob Casey all came to Scranton, Pennsylvania where we live. Because we live in a small city I happen to know some of the Casey family through my landscaping work. Earlier in the day I said hello to the Senator’s Mom and she told me her Daughter-in-law was picking her up. Later that afternoon I heard her mentioned by name and honored first by Joe Biden (A Scranton native) and then President Obama.

That set of events really got me to thinking again about how often we Christians have complained long and loud about our current President and have criticized him relentlessly. Though I have a lot of differences politically with the current administration I really believe that I need to re-think (repent) and re-purpose my approach to our leaders. Let’s ask ourselves this, “When did we last pray for our leaders”?  Not just for them to change their minds or their policies but for God’s blessing on them, on their families and on their future.

In His teachings Jesus made it very clear who we were to love and pray for. First He tells us to love our enemies and to pray for them. Next Jesus tells us that loving our neighbor is second only to loving God. Last of all we are commanded to love each other in the same way Jesus loved us. So whether we consider our President to be a brother in the faith, just a neighbor and fellow American or even our enemy we still have the same command.

I confess myself that I have spent uncounted moments of my own life complaining about our President but on several occasions the Holy Spirit has checked me and brought back to mind the scripture from 1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our Savior