Praying Above the Political Frey

I try to keep my political views to myself. I understand that not everyone understands why African Americans were proud last week when Senator Obama accepted the nomination for president of the United States on Friday. I'm not sure that I could put it into words. But Pastor Shaun explained it in a way that I couldn't.

Many people did not understand why Pastor Joel Hunter agreed to pray at the convention. Pastor Mark Beeson did a really good job of explaining why it was a good thing.

Yesterday morning Pastor Dan talked to us about the Importance of "Praying Above the Political Frey". He talked about the importance of praying for those in office (not against them) so that we can have a peaceful life. Here are my notes from the sermon ( I wish his sermon podcast was up, but its a holiday and the offices are closed. Even church folks need a break sometime). Check back in a couple of days it will probably be up:

We must honor those in authority? Romans 13: 4-6 What would be worse then a bad government? No government! (2nd Chronicles 7:14) Take the time to intercede for your nation.

Prayer changes things. We change public opinion by the way we live our life. (Daniel 2:21) There is no government in the world that God can't change. One prayer may be all that it takes. We must pray with focus for: A. Freedom B. Righteousness C. For our leaders (their character, regardless of party) - their integrity - humility - compassion D. Pray for influence of those around our leaders E. Pray for their personal needs - their marriage (you wouldn't want the president sleeping on the couch with the red phone beside him/her...lol), - their health. God's purpose can come through during unlikely ways. Pray that God's will be done. (Ezekiel 22: 30) Keep a Kingdom Perspective! Whatever your opinion, we can all agree on one thing......we will need to pray over the next few weeks, months and years for our country.

I must admit I haven't always honored those in office (at least not in the way that Pastor Dan talked about) . There is so many things that divide us as a country, as a people as a nation. Until yesterdays message I would have never thought about how my prayer could effect or change the heart of a leader. How many of us are forgetting to pray above the polital frey?

This morning Pastor Pete asked this question. I struggled with leaving a comment but finally decided to answer with this: Every time someone asked me about this I try to think of something (I thought "brilliant" but left it out) to say. I can only speak from where I am sitting. A lot of people have been saying this will help get the female vote. As an African American women who felt that it was insulting for people to assume I would vote for Obama because he was black, I think its insulting for people to assume I would vote for McCain because he choose a woman. Of course I think its insulting that people assume all Christians vote republican or that all blacks vote democratic! As far as McCain's pick for VP, I don’t know enough about her to make a comment.

I got one response ("What Cyndi said is Brilliant")! This man doesn't know it but he just made my day.

So I am thinking that its not as important that you know who I vote for as it is that you know who I stand for. The rest I will leave in God's hands.