Psalm 20: 1-9

In my last church, where I served for 22 years, I preached the same sermon in both Democratic and Republican administrations. When controversy about the sitting President was running at a fever pitch, I preached a sermon entitled “What to Do about the President?” When it was a Bush in office, the Republicans were initially defensive and the Democrats showed up with high expectations that I would speak truth to power. When it was Clinton or Obama in office, the Democrats were sure I was going to be critical of their man, while the Republicans were licking their chops in anticipation of a good old fashioned whupping. Both were disappointed (though some read their own biases into the sermon), when I preached on I Timothy 2:1ff, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and those in authority….” I didn’t think of Psalm 20 back then, but it would have made for a good teaching tool. This is how all of you, Republican and Democrat, should pray for whatever king (red or blue, black or white, yours or theirs) is in office at the moment.