One of the places we go by on our daily walk has a sign in their yard which reads: “DON’T STOP PRAYING.”  There is also a popular contemporary Christian song by Matthew West which is titled, “Don’t Stop Praying.”  The lyrics emphasize the importance of being persistent in prayer. That’s great, biblical advice!  Luke records a parable that Jesus taught His disciple “to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (Lk. 18:1).  Note too, the Apostle Paul’s challenge to the believers at Colossae: “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2).  And to the church at Thessalonica, Paul wrote: “Pray without ceasing” (I Thes. 5:18). 

     If you have been praying for an unsaved friend, family member or neighbor to come to know Christ, don’t quit!  If you have been praying for a missionary or Christian ministry, keep it up!  If you have been praying for your children and grandchildren to keep Christ first in their lives, don’t stop.  If you have been praying for a broken relationship to be mended, keep on praying. 

     And, if you were praying for the presidential election and for our country, don’t quit now!  We might be excited that the previous administration with its progressive, liberal, socialist ideas and “Woke” agenda promoting abortion, LGBTQ, Cancel Culture, Critical Race Theory, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, and the suppression of free speech and public expression of one’s Christian faith has ended with the election of Donald J. Trump and J. D. Vance.  But, that doesn’t mean the spiritual battle going on in our country (and across the world) is over. Satan will not give up until he and his demonic forces are cast into the Lake of Fire (Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10). I appreciate that the January 2025 issue of Decision magazine focused on the need to pray for the president and his staff, with an excellent article by Franklin Graham. 

     On January 20th, Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States, becoming only the second president in history (joining Grover Cleveland) to serve two non-consecutive terms. This is a critical time for the United States on so many fronts. Many believers have been upholding this nation in prayer, realizing how far we have plunged down a spiral of evil and immorality and suppression of biblical values. It would seem that by the providence and mercy of God, we have been given a breath of fresh air and renewed hope for our country. It is obvious that God spared Donald Trump’s life from the assassin’s bullet and brought him to this position as our next president “for such a time as this.” But, there will continue to be enemies that threaten our nation, both from without and from within. So we must not stop praying!  Prayer is vital to the success of the leadership and the well-being of the people. In I Tim. 2:1-4, Paul wrote: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 

     Trump has appointed some very capable, quality people (who love our country!) to serve in this administration, including a number of committed Christians such as Mike Huckabee (Ambassador to Israel), Marco Rubio (Secretary of State), Scott Turner (Dept. of Housing and Urban Development), Brook Rollins (Secretary of the Department of Agriculture), Doug Collins (Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs), Kristi Noem (Secretary of Homeland Security), and Pam Bondi (Attorney General).

     I strongly urge you to pray daily for President Trump and Vice President Vance and his whole leadership team. Pray for the salvation of any who do not know Christ personally. Pray that they will look to God each day for wisdom, guidance and discernment. Pray that our leaders will bend their hearts toward God and humbly seek His will  (Prov. 21:1). Pray that those Christians in places of leadership will give President Trump godly counsel and that he will listen (Pr. 15:22; 24:5,6). Pray that President Trump and his staff heed the advice of Solomon who wrote: “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles” (Pr.21:23); “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Pr. 21:23); “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”  Pray that each will maintain a heart of compassion and concern for others (Phil. 2:2-5). Pray that those who know Christ will stand strong and have a voice and positive influence for the Kingdom of God (Mt. 5:13-16; I Cor. 16:13,14; II Cor. 5:17-20). Pray that God will protect President Trump and his team from harm. Pray that our leaders will make wise decisions and our legislators will enact laws based on sound biblical principles and values that enable us to experience the freedoms our founding fathers intended for this great nation which was established by the providence of God. 

     So, don’t stop praying, but keep in mind that the government is only protecting our freedom and the ability to do the work that only the Church can do!  Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change hearts and thus a culture.  We have been given an opportunity to advance the Gospel. Don’t waste it!  “We can’t feel like our responsibility ended when we cast our votes in November, or that somehow we can delegate this responsibility to the government. We cannot!  We need godly men and women in government so that the government stays out of the way so the church is unhindered in doing the work God has called it to do. Now the real work of changing hearts and minds and retaking the moral ground in our country begins” (Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council). As Christians–those who know truth and the One who is Truth–we should be those who contribute to the rebuilding of trust and the greatness of this nation. We have a great opportunity ahead of us. Let’s take advantage of it for the Kingdom’s sake.

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N