On Friday January 20, millions of people around the world watched the presidential inauguration. Many did so with tremendous pride and anticipation of better times ahead. Millions more did not watch, yet joined in prayer lifted up on behalf of our president, elected leaders and the nation. Prayers lifted up in faith in Jesus' name are pleasing to God; of this we can be sure. Never the less sometimes it can be difficult to know what we should pray for. Our nation today is terribly divided; one side against the other in extreme disagreement. As such, many question whether the election of this president or any president can unite us. And yet political divide aside, there is a greater question. Will our new president's agenda for America be good and right in God's sight? As much as it is we should pray for it. But where any agenda (either this president or his opposition) is not 'good' in God's sight, we surly must pray against it.

In Romans 13 we read, Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. Good government is a blessing but not all government is good. In fact, government (many historians have noted) tends to reflect the people of its' day. In America today there continues a rising tide of evil: greed, neglect of those in need, robbery of our neighbor's possession and reputation, immorality, wickedness and vice that should bring shame to men... witness the things we hear and see in the media both social and national. In truth things today are not unlike Israel long ago when Each one did that what was right in their own eyes. All such evil stems from turning away from God's truth in the holy scriptures and from Jesus as the only Savior of the world. Thus we pray as the church has prayed for centuries, Lord have mercy upon us.

And yet we should never forget the amazing Good News: God so loved (this sinful) world that He gave His only Son!, Isaiah foretold, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. The greater reality that trumps all culture, politics, media, division and strife among men is Christ! Jesus is the light of (this) world. This same Savior, the True light of the world has given for us to be light and salt in the world today. Really no greater opportunity than now for us to let our light shine!

Several years back, Dr. Dale A. Meyer (former Lutheran Hour speaker, current president of Concordia Seminary) offered the following prayer at another presidential inauguration:

O Eternal God, you sit mysteriously in the highest heavens but assure us of your interest in our earthly lives. You have instituted governments for the good of all people. On this Inauguration Day, where can we turn for help except to you O Lord, you who are displeased with us because of our sins? Move our elected leaders in government to the concerns and good of those they represent and not just to their own selfish interests. Direct our leaders and citizens to cooperation and wise stewardship of your blessings, for the sake of the generations to come. Guide all parents, guardians, and leaders to teach and foster principles of responsible citizenship over laziness and the rising entitlement mindset. If we must be further divided and broken in order that America become a repentant people in whom righteousness flourishes, then so be it. Should that be our prospect in the next years then we beg your Spirit to comfort us even as we learn the hard lesson that the chastening is for our good and only in you is our hope and continued life. Give to all our leaders, especially to our president and congress wisdom beyond their own insights. Make their rooms large enough for partisan friends and foes alike.

Psalm 127:1 - Unless you O Lord build the house, we labor in vain to build it. Unless you keep the nation, our leaders watch in vain Along with Rev. Meyer and Christians everywhere, this we ask for America, not for our sake or merits but on account of your mercy, through Jesus Christ, Amen.

Pastor Kelly Mitteis