With fewer than 10 days until the inauguration of our new president, the argument over his choice of which pastor will deliver the opening prayer — the first words of this historic ceremony — will soon heat up again.
President-elect Barack Obama invited Pastor Rick Warren to lead our nation in prayer. When Warren consented, there arose what this newspaper described as “a hissy fit on the left and grumbling on the right.”
Warren, an evangelical and the author of one of the best-selling books in history, “The Purpose Driven Life,” has been vilified by the gay community for his opposition to gay marriage in his home state of California. Some in the pro-life community question whether he is selling out his convictions to pray for the most ardently pro-choice president in history.
What I haven’t heard anyone ask is why would Warren say yes — and thus subject himself and his church to angry protesters and smear campaigns from both sides of the political fray? Warren is an international celebrity who routinely meets with heads of state as a part of his deep commitment to the relief of poverty and his widely acclaimed leadership in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. His church has literally changed the fate of thousands of people in Rwanda through its efforts. Millions of people worldwide have purchased his books, so he doesn’t need help from our new president to gain an audience. He was widely applauded for his evenhanded approach to the debate hosted at his church at the beginning of the campaign. He could have politely declined — and avoided the hassle.
What I haven’t heard anyone ask is why would Warren say yes — and thus subject himself and his church to angry protesters and smear campaigns from both sides of the political fray? Warren is an international celebrity who routinely meets with heads of state as a part of his deep commitment to the relief of poverty and his widely acclaimed leadership in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. His church has literally changed the fate of thousands of people in Rwanda through its efforts. Millions of people worldwide have purchased his books, so he doesn’t need help from our new president to gain an audience. He was widely applauded for his evenhanded approach to the debate hosted at his church at the beginning of the campaign. He could have politely declined — and avoided the hassle.
As he has shared, the reason behind Warren accepting the president-elect’s offer can be found in the story of an ancient pastor who thought it was important to pray for the head of state. The Apostle Paul wrote, “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” (First Timothy 2:1-2 NIV).
So, Warren will be praying for Barack Obama a week from Tuesday for one very simple reason — the Bible says he should. Beyond his genuine affection for our new president, and regardless of their political differences, Warren will be in Washington to respond to a higher authority than the president-elect.
When Paul wrote his biblical instructions for fellow believers to follow, the emperor of Rome was a man named Nero — who famously fiddled while Rome burned. I am quite sure Paul didn’t endorse the politics of his king — I am equally sure he realized that the man who leads the most powerful nation in the world has an unequaled opportunity to do good and restrain evil.
Our nation’s newest president will need and deserve the prayers of all his people. Regardless of your politics, let’s join Warren and pray for Barack Obama — not because we agree or disagree — but because the job before him will require divine guidance if we are to live in peace.
