PRAYERS for 47

1/21/2025

The day after.  The speeches are done. The talking heads have . . . talked. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and maybe TikTok (but maybe only for 75 more days) have swirled about, influencing our thoughts and attitudes. I am finding it difficult to not take the bait of people posting in ways that they must know is inflammatory. Smart people who seem deceived or complicit, I’m not sure.  My goal is to think the best of them–today that is hard.

I attempted to watch some of the inauguration, free from the duties of work on a day that celebrates a peacemaker–a non-violent protester in search of justice. The parallel lines switch to perpendicular as my mind views the differences between the two men raised up on this day.

Donald Trump’s acceptance speech seemed like a greatest hits of what he thought people would want to hear. As I listened I thought of all the harm that will seemingly be done as an Administration seeks a “me first” approach. An administration that outlaws that which they don’t understand. An administration that highlights Christian values in a way that Christ would not recognize.

Am I biased?  Yes. There is no doubt in my mind.  The trauma inflicted as I watched my brothers and sisters in Christ sell out to a man that possessed none of the fruits of the Spirit. A barren tree. This trauma still resides in my soul. This trauma has required therapy and a space for breathing. But, this is nothing compared to the people in the crosshairs. Immigrants and those in the LGBTQIA+ communities. Regardless of anyone’s personal opinions, it is morally wrong to demonize entire groups of people who are made in the image of God.

I breathe deeply and look heavenward as I hear that the 1600 who assaulted our Capitol are pardoned–even those who violently clashed with police officers.  Why can’t we see what is happening.  My people love to claim that this generation calls evil good and good evil.  Can they not see what they are doing?  Speck and plank on full display.

I am reminded of how wounded Donald Trump must be to require loyalty in this way.  How unloved he must feel deep in his bones. A child inside, sent off to boarding school during his formative years, hoping for the love of his father. I can’t know this, but I wonder.  A brokenness he is unwilling to acknowledge or admit. A brokenness he, most likely, hasn’t been willing to see. This is what I will attempt to focus on. To see his humanity instead of a monster.

PRAYER

God,

Today please fill me with peace. Help me not to be reactive, but to see our President as someone crafted in your image–to see someone that you love.

I pray for, not only, a softening of his heart, but a softening of mine as well.  I pray that both he and I would see others around us as people to be loved, not groups to be demonized for gain with our respective followings.

I pray for peace and that Donald Trump would follow through on his words and be a peacemaker.  Not peace through force, but simply peace. 

I pray that he would not force one set of morals on a diverse group of people, but allow for individuals to decide for themselves–must like you are not forceful about the ways in which we live. I pray that public Christianity becomes more about Christ and less about coercion.

Today, I pray for the wounded child that I see in our President.  I pray that he would feel a deep peace, that he would be healed. I pray that he would offer that healing peace to the people around him.

Please be with him, his family, and everyone in his sphere as they embark on a challenging four years. Give him guidance, help him lead well–for all of us.

In the name of our savior, the Prince of Peace,

Amen.

1/20/2025

Today is inauguration day. Social media is a clash of mourning and celebration. I refuse to indulge either path.  Our President, Donald Trump, has caused me much anxiety–a fog that obscured the way forward–over the last 10 years.  I will no longer play that game. I will no longer be controlled in that way.

As I mentioned to a friend who was suffering the same internal struggle that I recognized in myself years ago, I reminded him that today starts a countdown clock on a man who believes that loyalty and retribution are the highest ideals.

As I move forward through the next four years, the next 1460 days, I expect to feel a peace in my spirit, because I follow after the Prince of Peace.  My anxious heart can be calmed as I lean into the spirit of Christ.

As we continue on this trek, I will post some thoughts and a prayer each day.  My focus will be on praying for Donald Trump.  The cynic in me doubts this will do much good–the cynic believes that past behavior will, undoubtedly, prove future action.  The Christian in me hopes that prayer actually changes things, but he also has his doubts.  Yet, I will commit to pray for our President each day in a genuine way, difficult as it may be internally.  If I claim to seek peace, if I claim to believe that people can change, then I need to do so even when everything in my core screams otherwise.  

I want to be transformed, so this feels like the right step forward.

I love you all.  One step after another. Together.

Brian