As is the case with any president, Barack Obama produces wildly differing opinions among the masses. I don’t want to get into all that. I just want to share with you two things that I know about the man.

First, I know that God has either caused or at the very least allowed him to be the President of the United States. Consider the following Bible verses (all from the N.K.J.V.):

“…He removes kings and raises up kings…” (Daniel 2:21)

“…the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” (Daniel 4:32)

“…He puts down one, and exalts another.” (Psalm 75:7)

“For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” (Romans 13:1)

When I say God has caused or allowed Barack Obama to be President, that doesn’t automatically mean that Obama is a Christian (any more than it automatically meant that George W. Bush is a Christian). What it does mean is that God, in His divine plan and purposes, whatever they may be, either brought Obama to the forefront or at least allowed him to be brought to the forefront of a very crowded field of Presidential hopefuls (some Democrats and some Republicans).

To use the language Daniel, Asaph, and Paul used in their writings, God raised Obama up, gave him the American kingdom to lead, exalted him, and appointed him. This in no way makes Obama a modern-day King David, a man “after God’s own heart.” It doesn’t make his decisions pleasing to God or his vision for America a God-approved one, either. It simply makes him the man that God has either caused or at least allowed the privilege, for whatever reason or reasons, of being our current President.

Second, I know that God wants each Christian in this country to pray for Barack Obama. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, the apostle Paul writes:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (N.K.J.V.)

You say, “I didn’t vote for Obama.” Okay, but God still wants you to pray for him. You say, “I don’t agree with his stances on the issues.” Okay, but God still wants you to pray for him. You say, “I truly believe he is going to ruin this nation.” Okay, but God still wants you to pray for him. Remember that Paul and Timothy lived under the wicked Roman government and its political leader, the pagan, pompous Caesar. Despite this, Paul exhorted Christians to pray for kings and all who are in authority.

And please notice the reason Paul gives for urging Christians to pray for their governmental leaders. He says, “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Isn’t that interesting? Every Christian ought to appreciate the fact that he or she lives in America, a country where Christians are free to worship God in the manner in which the Bible instructs us. If America falls to a foreign country, or if her government begins a campaign to stamp out Christianity, Christians certainly won’t be able to live quiet and peaceable lives. Therefore, we should pray for our President, whoever he may be, that he will do his part to ensure that American Christians remain free to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).

I realize, of course, that politics is a highly emotional issue with many people and that Christians aren’t exempt from this emotion. But there really is a Bible way of relating to the office of President of the United States. While we are citizens of another country and kingdom (Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:19), we live our earthly lives here in the United States. This means that we have a God-given responsibility to pray for this nation’s top leader. This responsibility goes far beyond the confines of the Democratic and Republican parties. It isn’t a “Constitution thing.” It is a “Bible thing,” and the sooner we Christians learn that the better off we will be as not only God’s people but also American citizens.