Ginger, I blogged about this very thing on Nov. 5, the day after the election. One great resource for praying for our leaders is joining the Presidential Prayer Team. Go to www.presidentialprayerteam.org and sign up for their free weekly email updates listing specific ways to pray for our leaders that week.

I volunteered on the Obama campaign in the state of Georgia and found the election season to be a wonderful experience of growth and honesty for me.
I chose not the pay attention to the media all that much and really listen to the everyday people that I met in person and online through this election season. What I found is we have more that connects us that separates us.
I am an African-American Christian woman and I found that when I treated people with respect and listened as they shared their struggles and concerns about our nation, I was able to reflect Jesus' love thought my actions. I didn't have to preach to them or attempt to convert them, but right out there on the campaign trail day by day, I was able to pray for people as we shared information about the candidate of our choice.
I got the chance the meet President-Elect Obama in person and I found him to be truly humble with a servant's heart. I believe this man is Christian and will be led by God to help move our nation in the right direction. So volunteering for the Obama campaign became a ministry for me because I met several people who needed prayer and I was able to do that for them.
No our lives don't depend on what happens in Washington, but our country has a requirement throughout the world to be a blessing to other nations, as scripture reminds us that to whom much is given, much is required and God has given much to the United States of America. But we can't truly began to do that until we mend our wounds right here at home.
One of our worst wounds is racism and for me as an African-American woman to see the country I live in was able to look beyond the color of President-Elect Obama's skin and into his character and qualifications lets me that we're moving toward that mending.
We don't have to agree with every decision that President-Elect Obama makes because there isn't any one person that we agree with 100 percent of time, but we can respect each other and commit to talking our issues through and then committed ourselves to prayer.

Well, I hope that Barack Obama eorks, not only for our side but for the worlds. Jesus is far beyond any party or ideology.

LOTS OF PRAYER-Supreme court to rule on Obama’s eligibility for presidency
By Janitsar on Nov 18th, 2008
SCOTUS docket NO. 08-570

Supreme Court Of The United States (SCOTUS) Justice David Souter has agreed that a review of the federal lawsuit filed by attorney Phil Berg against Barack Hussein Obama II, et al., which was subsequently dismissed for lack of standing is warranted. SCOTUS Docket No. 08-570 contains the details.
A review of that docket and the Rule 10 of the Supreme Court makes abundantly clear that Justice Souter’s granting of a review on the Writ of Certiorari is not a right entitled to citizen Phil Berg, but rather is a matter of judcial discretion based upon a compelling reason. That compelling reason is the Constitutional requirement that “No person except a natural born citizen …
shall be eligible to the office of President…�
What this means is that on or before 1 DECEMBER 2008 Barack Hussein Obama II must respond to the writ of certiorari, and since the Berg v Obama case hinged primarily on the question of Obama’s place of birth, it is almost inconceivable that Barack Obama will thumb his nose at the Justices of the Supreme Court and he is absolutely compelled to provide a vault copy his original birth certificate.
Another very salient fact to consider at this time is that, despite all of the pronouncements of the print and broadcast media, Barack Obama is not yet the President-elect of the United States. Barack Obama can only become the President-elect after the Electoral College convenes on 15 DECEMBER 2008 in their respective state capitals around the nation and casts their votes to elect the President and the Vice President. As you can see this election day occurs two weeks after the required response to the Supreme Court granted Writ of Certiorari.
The bottom line is this: the presidential election of 2008 remains an ongoing process, the outcome of which remains undetermined, and all talk about a potential Constitutional crisis in the United States are at least 36 days premature.
The inevitable constitutional crisis regarding President-elect Obama, of course, revolves around his inability (or unwillingness) to produce an authentic Hawaiian birth certificate with the raised certificate stamp that the Federal Elections Commission can independently verify.
Here are some of the unanswered issues hanging over the head of President-elect Barack Obama and the question of his American citizenship:
• The allegation that Obama was born in Kenya to parents unable to automatically grant him American citizenship;
• The allegation that Obama was made a citizen of Indonesia as a child and that he retained foreign citizenship into adulthood without recording an oath of allegiance to regain any theoretical American citizenship;
• The allegation that Obama’s birth certificate was a forgery and that he may not be an eligible, natural-born citizen;
• The allegation that Obama was not born an American citizen; lost any hypothetical American citizenship he had as a child; that Obama may not now be an American citizen and even if he is, may hold dual citizenships with other countries. If any, much less all, of these allegations are true, the suit claims, Obama cannot constitutionally serve as president.
• The allegations that “Obama’s grandmother on his father’s side, half brother and half sister claim Obama was born in Kenya,� the suit states.� Reports reflect Obama’s mother went to Kenya during her pregnancy; however, she was prevented from boarding a flight from Kenya to Hawaii at her late stage of pregnancy, which apparently was a normal restriction to avoid births during a flight. Stanley Ann Dunham (Obama) gave birth to Obama in Kenya, after which she flew to Hawaii and registered Obama’s birth.�
• The claim could not be verified by inquiries to Hawaiian hospitals, since state law bars the hospitals from releasing medical records to the public;
Even if Obama produced authenticated proof of his birth in Hawaii, however, the suit claims that the U.S. Nationality Act of 1940 provided that minors lose their American citizenship when their parents expatriate. Since Obama’s mother married an Indonesian citizen and moved to Indonesia, the suit claims, she forfeited both her and Barack’s American citizenship.
http://origin.www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/08-570.htm

Thank you Ginger for sharing your earnest concern about our christian attitude toward others. Thanks to Sheryl for the prayer tip. And Renee's message just warms my heart.
What I disagree with, Ginger, is that God puts in place presidents. I believe voters do. As christians God asks us to respect the one the majority have elected. This is today - there wasn't even any democracy in New Testament times.
I also disagree that McCain/Palin represented "our side": he believes in more military violence and irresponsibly chose an incompetent VP candidate. She was an aberration only 8 years of GWBush could have made seem almost 'normal'.
Personally I think Obama was the best choice in view of his genuine care for the weaker people in society as well as his intelligence and christian spirituality. "Our side" should always be the side where the poor and broken are honoured, and supported by just policies. Poverty can be prevented, even; downward spirals, broken. I'm praying for the next 4 years.

A timely article...I realize that "our side" was in italics, but we must realize that 25% of white evangelicals voted for Obama. Please show love, respect and honor to fellow countrymen (including fellow Christians), who voted differently from yourself, whichever candidate that you supported. Find some common ground; we all love the freedoms in this country, it was great to see a record number of new voters, and everyone in this country, especially our leaders, need our sincere prayers. Also, please remember that your children are listening when you rant about the direction of our country and their leaders, is that really the message you want to give to them?

I totally agree with this and in fact had this discussion with a mentor and great friend of mine who voted for McCain, and I voted for Obama. We both agreed on how disturbing it is that so many people are forgetting that regardless to who sits in the White House, our Heavenly Father STILL & ALWAYS sits on the Throne! AMEN. GREAT article. I will use for discussion in my singles ministry at the top of next year.

One addition I'd give is to keep this same mindfulness when it comes to anyone we find bringing a displeasing thought/concern into our minds or lives... i.e.: family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, whomever!!! Lift them up, lift the circumstance up to our Lord and be honest in prayer. It is amazing how much of a revelation and a relief one gets when they pray from their hear & soul--as opposed to just going through the motions--and give it all to God!!!

Everyone be blessed. Pray about EVERYTHING, and worry about NOTHING!

Renée I think you did a great thing there.
Ginger, I appreciate your call for prayer and constructive collaboration. But I have an earnest question: why is it you considered the McCain/Palin team "our side", and what in your view is unchristian about Obama and his team?
Second, I have to disagree that God puts leaders in place; I think the American electorate put Obama where he is. I believe that is fundamental to democracy. Thanks.

We do not live in a monarchy and it is, we, not they, who are the true rulers. The real authority lies in the electorate, not in the people they elect.

Let them submit to us.

I agree we must be respectful and law abiding toward the new administration, but I'm not so quick to laugh at the notion that the end times could be near. Who knows? As for the observation that some folks act like their "lives depend on what happens in Washington" I think people are upset because the election meant one important thing--americans voted for the most pro-abortion candidate in history. That's upsetting to most of us. As far as "God has allowed this person to be our leader", it is also true God has allowed a man to rape a four year old. It just means God allows us to sin. We know that. I think the words of Dr. Alveda Scott King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. say it all: "If Mr. Obama wants to bring change that we can believe in, he needs to begin by changing his view that not all Americans have a right to exist." That is the only way this country will have true peace.

It is difficult to listen to good, Christian friends say hateful and biting things about Obama when I have such high hopes for his ability to govern and unite the country. What's worse is to hear pastors, preachers, and other "leaders" spout such ridiculousness as that he is the "antichrist" on public radio.

I understand that this was a polarizing election season in an ever more polarized nation, but how is anyone to heal or help our nation when the CHRISTIANS act so un-Christ-like?

I suggest that the people thinking that the end of the world is now coming they had better get used to Obama being president, because when the rapture occurs, they will left behind because for the simple fact that the did not love their neighbors!!! And for the ones who now believe that the USA is going to HELL in a hand basket, i suggest you emigrate to another nation and become a citizen of that nation. You are not being a Christian or a true American citizen. Yes, I do believe in freedom of speech, but having to listen to you whining and crying all the time will be unbearable. And I was brought up with the statement "If you can't something nice, DON'T SAY IT AT ALL!" So do your Christian duty and pray for all elected officials!!!

I suggest that the people thinking that the end of the world is now coming they had better get used to Obama being president, because when the rapture occurs, they will left behind because for the simple fact that the did not love their neighbors!!! And for the ones who now believe that the USA is going to HELL in a hand basket, I suggest you emigrate to another nation and become a citizen of that nation. You are not being a Christian or a true American citizen. Yes, I do believe in freedom of speech, but having to listen to you whining and crying all the time will be unbearable. And I was brought up with the statement "If you can't something nice, DON'T SAY IT AT ALL!" So do your Christian duty and pray for all elected officials!!!

I thought Ginger left it very open to what she meant as 'our side". I
In this last month of President Bush's term it is we as believers responsibility to pray for him and his leadership--and then after Inaugeration day to pray for President Obama and his leadership. All of us as believers should be convicted by Paul's words to pray for leaders

Hi.

I am a Ugandan Christian. You American Christians amaze me, especially those of my skin colour (which should not matter). What happened to we want God in America again? Prayer in schools? Abstinence as an honourable choice.... I could go one forever.

Who is at the helm matters. Do you read your own news? Your liberals are excited about the lifting of the executive gag on international abortion groups! We here are scared about what curse abrotion will bring upon our land especially with all that American funding. Plus other issues...

What am saying is this. WHO IS PRESIDENT MATTERS! PRAY!

Incidentally I think you should be more proud of George Bush than you appear to be. He is a man of his word, God's word and of faith. He did what God asked him to do. I know you think the war... But many of us here believe what he did was God's will. History will vindicate him. Pray for Barack to obey God as well.

God bless Uganda and America and his people wherever they are.

All valid points from those who have thrown in their two cents worth. I think it's very difficult at best, to remember that God IS sovereign and that our moral responsiblilty reaches beyond party lines. My concern as a voter was this, if Mr Obama ran as a Republican, would he have still won? Meaning, the voter turn out was historical, and yes, I was able to witness something only others have dreamt about BUT that says pretty loudly that it was an election based upon color and that makes my heart sad because it only proves that we, on either side, have not move forward as a country. There have been serious issues in the past that have desperately needed voter turn out....where were the voters then?

Susanne, it doesn't sound like you have a very Christian attitude toward President George W. Bush. You are very insulting to him...and he is our President. Did you pray for President Bush during his 8 years as president? Ginger wasn't just writing about respecting and praying for Barack Obama. Also, Sarah Palin was not an imcompetent VP candidate. I'm sure you'll be seeing her again.

As Kathleen wrote, always remember that GOD IS SOVEREIGN. I believe Romans 13:1. Our presidents are in positions of authority because God has allowed it. I am so thankful that the Lord is in control and He always will be.

Thank you Elizabeth for your thoughts. I complete agree with you.

Dec. 1, 2008

Here is Dr. Albert Mohler's website that addresses " Americans have chosen a President" and what Christians should do from here on.
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=2715

Nov. 5th, 2008 Broadcast

Chuck's comment was interesting. I believe many of us are so frustrated with Washington in general because we feel they don't listen to us. We middle class law-abiding citizens are being punished for the outrageous greed of those "inside the beltway" who know nothing of trying to live on a small income. Indeed I wish they were responsible to us. I would invite any member of any political party to come and manage my budget for a month. They are so far removed from my reality that no matter who the president is, I see very little help for those of us who are struggling to do the right thing and keep our heads above water.

I am very disappointed in comments that I have read! The comments that have been raised, and the fact that so many of you "praise" George Bush, and say that all that he has done is "God's Will", but will say all the negativity toward President-Elect Obama!It may be possible that if the country was not in this shape, President-Elect Obama, may not have won, however, if God sent George Bush to get it where it is, then why couldn't God also send Barack Obama to move it forward, and begin with the healing of the land? I have never seen so many people of all color come together, in unity, and love, especially on election night!I subscribed to this publication, thinking that because of the Name: ChristianityToday(Todays Christian Woman), I would possibly find the same unity- people of all color,who simply love God, and reach out to show that same love to others, regardless of political sides, denomination, just loving everybody!!! However, If the comments that I' have read, and the fact that you call "McCain/Palin" "Our Team", If this is Christianity Today? I am so.. Saddened!!! Maybe those who simply follow Jesus, should not call ourselves, "Christians", if this is the voice of "Christians", but maybe merely call ourselves, Disciples of Christ! A comment stated that this election was about color? Well, my question is, If President-Elect Obama was 100% White, would there be all these comments, and especially about it not being of God, or of God!! God allowed us to have a President who is not black, or white, but black and white, which I think is awesome! I think back to that song I learned in Sunday School, and it truly illuminates now: Jesus loves the little children, ALL the children of the world, Red and Yellow, Black and White, all are precious in his sight!! So what can we do, as Women? We,as mothers, never know who or what our children may grow up to be in life, but let me ask this: If your son had been elected President of the United States of America, and yes, even under all the pressures, of Obama, what would be your request of the Christian Women, from this magazine? I'm sure at the top of your list would be PRAYER, and at the bottom of your list would be PRAYER!! So although, President Elect Obama is not your son, I'm sure if His mother was here, she would ask that we simply PRAY!! So..(1) Let's pray for the transition, Let's Pray for President Bush and His wife, as they move forward with the rest of their lives, (2) Let's Pray: for President Elect Barack Obama, his wife and family, as they move forward on this new journey.and Third, (3) Let's Pray that we as people of God will unite in love, and be the Light, and Salt that Jesus wants us to be, and teach our children, or maybe let our children teach us, how to let their lives shine! Because of Jesus, and Inspite of circumstances. We are One in the Spirit, we are One in the Lord, and they'll know we are Christians, by our LOVE!!!!

I'm an American living overseas and it's amazing the venom that has come from this election, especially from evangelical Christians. And now many in the Church, who are not happy with how the election turned out, are saying, we need to pray, we need to pray. But I wonder if people are praying that God's will be done...or are they praying their own agenda. I guess time will tell what the Lord will do in the Church, and especially in America, through this election.

I really appreciate your comments Cindy. We should pray. Pray for all of our leaders - those exiting and arriving. It is no wonder that the unsaved are skeptical about Christianity. If we cannot unite in the body of Christ to read and interpret God's Word which commands us to love, and if we cannot refrain from spewing divisive opinions and attitudes on the internet, then, how can we ever draw others to Christ? We are the only Jesus that the world sees. We embody Jesus Christ in 2008. Eyes are on us. We are commanded in His Word to love others as ourselves. So even if we don't agree with our leaders, we must NOT spread our negative feelings around and cause others to stumble. We need to take our responsibility as Christians very seriously.
I challenge all of my brothers and sisters in Christ to tame their tongues and be respectful of others even if you don't agree with them. God wants us to understand that time is of the essence and we need to be about the business of drawing others to Christ , not pushing them further away. Truth be told, we have no opinion, only trust God. God bless all TCW readers.