Three Bible passages I'm praying for President-elect Trump

        In a political shocker to many, the 45th president of the United States was elected as the 47th president of the United States this past Tuesday. The only other president to be re-elected after losing a re-election bid was Grover Cleveland who was elected to a second term in 1892 after losing his re-election bid in 1888. The response to Trump’s election brought celebrations from some and tears from others, but whether it was Donald Trump or Kamala Harris elected, God has the same command for His people—pray. In light of that command, I invite you to join me in praying for President-elect Trump and continue to pray for President Biden as he finishes his term. However, specifically for President-elect Trump, I came across three passages that I’ll be using to guide my prayers.

Psalm 119:66, 67

66Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
67Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. 

        I am praying that God will daily be teaching Donald Trump good judgment and knowledge based on the Word of God. I can’t even imagine the number of decisions that are made daily in the life of the President either by him directly or by those he has authorized on his behalf. Good judgment and knowledge seem absolutely essential to effectively serve as the President of the United States. And we know that God’s Word offers true knowledge and sound judgment. I don’t know what, if any, daily reading habits Trump has regarding the Bible, but I pray he would start some if he has none, and I pray he continues if he already has some.

        John Quincy Adams (who served as a representative in both chambers of Congress, as secretary of state, and as the sixth president of the United States) wrote the following in a letter to his son in September 1811, 

“…so great is my veneration for the Bible, and so strong my belief, that when duly read and meditated on, it is of all books in the world, that which contributes most to make men good, wise, and happy – that the earlier my children begin to read it, the more steadily they pursue the practice of reading it throughout their lives, the more lively and confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens of their country, respectable members of society, and a real blessing to their parents… 
     I have myself, for many years, made it a practice to read through the Bible once every year…  
    My custom is to read four to five chapters every morning immediately after rising from my bed.” 
James L. Alden. Letters of John Quincy Adams to His Son on the Bible and Its Teachings, Auburn:1850.

“Lord God Almighty, in your abundant grace and mercy, daily teach President-elect Trump good judgment and knowledge based on Your word as he serves as President of the United States. Instill in him a passion to daily spend time in the Bible.”

I Chronicles 12:23, 32

23These are the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops who came to David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of the Lord…. 

        Israel experienced a transition of power after King Saul died. The tribe of Judah crowned David king and pledged their allegiance to him, but the rest of Israel followed Ish-bosheth, the son of King Saul, whom General Abner declared the next king of Israel. After years of battling, Ish-bosheth angered Abner who then led a coup to hand over all of Israel to David and depose Ish-bosheth. A lot of other drama ensues (read the whole story in 2 Samuel chapters 3-5) including the death of Abner, but ultimately all the tribes of Israel go to Hebron to install David as king over Israel. This is the context of I Chronicles 12:23. The rest of that passage (verses 24-37) lists the numbers and types of troops from each of the 12 tribes that came to Hebron to install David as King over Israel. And in verse 32 we read this…

Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.

        “Men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…” Some estimate that there are about 4000 positions that turnover when a new President assumes office. President-elect Trump in a recent podcast with Joe Rogan suggested that it was like 10,000. Whether it is 10,000 or 4000 the fact is there will be 1000’s of new people in leadership positions after the presidential transition. I am praying that God will bring to Trump people who have an understanding of the times we are living in and know what America ought to do. Heads of departments and under secretaries that have discernment and depth of knowledge in their field. People who can evaluate a situation and know the best course to take. God gave David 200 such men, and I pray that there will be at least 2000 such people in the Trump administration.

 “Almighty and gracious King of the Universe, bring to President-elect Trump leaders who understand the times we are living in and know how our country should proceed. Grant him thousands of men and women with keen discernment on the issues and grant them the understanding and fortitude to move forward in the best way for our country.”

James 3:13-18

13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

        Godly Wisdom. I’m praying that God grants Donald Trump Godly wisdom as outlined in James 3:13-18. It might be tempting for Trump to use his power to retaliate inappropriately against those who have hated and targeted him in the past years. If pride and selfish ambition dictate how he leads then James makes clear that it will lead to “disorder and every vile practice.” I’m praying that God will grant him Godly wisdom that is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere, producing a harvest of righteousness sown in peace. This doesn’t mean he ignores justice. That certainly is a responsibility of the presidency to obey and enforce the law but to do so impartially and reasonably. When selfish ambition or vengeance seeps in, then those two wise characteristics fall by the wayside.

“Loving Heavenly Father, we ask that you grant President-elect Trump Godly wisdom and humility as he prepares to lead our nation. Guard him from the destructive path of pride, vengeance, and selfish ambition. Give him ears to listen to the wise and discerning counsel You surround him with and the humility to receive and apply that counsel. May he lead impartially and sincerely, and by Your grace and mercy may a harvest of righteousness be reaped.

We pray all of this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”


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