Watchmen for the U.S.: Cries Redeemed

Watchmen for the U.S.: Cries Redeemed

“Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.”
1 Peter 2:13-17 (The Message)

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Baptist minister who became the leader in the African American civil rights movement of the 1960’s. He was a freedom fighter whose weapons were peaceful means, civil disobedience, righteousness, and pure bravery. He was a servant of God who respected all men and honored our government. Through his courage and Christlike character, he brought change in this country. In his “I Have a Dream” speech he said,

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal’…I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character…I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood…Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children…Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’ "

The day before his death, Rev. King addressed a rally and delivered his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" address. In the close of the last speech of his career, King said that he had been to the mountaintop, and he had looked over and seen the Promised Land. He knew that he might not go there, too, but that his people would arrive one day to his dream.

Last week, Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States of America. His inauguration was watched all over the whole world. I watched clips of it later that night. Never before have I seen so many hopeful faces for a president. Never have I seen so many tears of joy and such a release from so much pain.

I was actually praying with some ladies from my workplace when he was sworn into office. As I prayed for President Obama and our country, something happened that I can’t say I have ever experienced previously. I hope that I can explain it to you well and that you won’t think it is too strange. I heard the cries of the African Americans for the past few hundred years. I didn’t hear them with my physical ears but with my spiritual ears. Their cries were overwhelming. Some cries were asking God for deliverance. Some cries were of joy at this moment that Dr. King’s vision from the mountaintop was realized. It is my deepest prayer that this brings healing to the wounded from this national sin. It is my prayer that this is the final chapter of the curse on this land from this sin.

At the same moment that I heard the redemption of the African Americans, I heard the cries for redemption of the unborn, aborted babies who have been killed in this land. My heart was full of emotion for the realized victory for one sin and unrealized victory for the lives of babies. I was so disturbed over the poor choices of this country and the people who have been hurt. At the same time, my heart wanted to be transported to heaven to celebrate with Dr. King and God.

We should pray for this president’s heart and mind to see life at conception. It is our responsibility to pray for wisdom in every aspect of his responsibilities – global economic crisis, terrorism, healthcare, social security, Supreme Court justice nominees, and the list continues. Doesn’t that amaze you that anyone would want such a job? Anyway, as watchwomen, it is our duty to pray. We pray because we love this country and because our God tells us to respect the government and honor the king (1 Peter 2:17 The Message and Amplifed).

Pray with me: Almighty God, as You instruct us we are praying for our ruler. Government, law, and ruling authorities are a gift. We know that You set up kings and that You have appointed President Obama for this particular time. We ask You to place Your mighty hand of protection upon Him. We ask for You to shield and protect his wife and his children. He has been entrusted with a great responsibility and much will be required. Give him heavenly wisdom on all matters and not the foolishness of man. Help him to see the sanctity of human life. Give him resolve where his heart is right before Your eyes. Change his heart where it is not. Give him courage to do what is right. Help him to fulfill his role as Commander-in-Chief while we will ultimately trust You as our Defender.

Thank You for redemption and healing of the wounds caused by the great sin of slavery, segregation, and unequal rights. Lord, protect Your church and may this country always be a place of religious freedom for believers. It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.

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