The $10 Million Prayer

“Everyone has a price” or so they say. Recently, former comic star, movie personality and talk-show host Rosie O’Donnell offered $2 million to any US Senator who would vote “no” against the President’s $1.5 Trillion tax relief bill. She tweeted the offer to Senators Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) specifically, despite the fact that such an offer could be construed as bribing of a public official. Neither Senator Flake nor Senator Collins accepted O’Donnell’s offer.

You may not know Tom Steyer, but you’ve probably heard of Larry Flynt. Steyer made billions managing a hedge fund before turning his efforts on saving the environment from man’s destruction, and Flynt became a household name as the publisher of the pornographic magazine Hustler, the primary competitor to now-deceased and nearly bankrupt Hugh Hefner. Each man shares a $10 million impeachment commonality. Steyer funded a 60-second television ad calling for President Trump’s impeachment on the grounds the President might cause nuclear war with North Korea, obstructed justice by firing James Comey of the FBI, and may have violated the constitution by accepting money from foreign governments. For his part, Flynt has offered $10 million as reward for any information, or “dirt” as he calls it, which leads to the impeachment of the President. Flynt’s position rests in his belief President Trump’s history as a successful international businessman conflicts against his responsibilities as President of these United States.

I find it ironic that a woman who made millions making people laugh, a man who made billions using other people’s money, and a man who made billions taking advantage of women, are all spending that kind of money to try and remove President Trump. Even more disturbing is the continuing barrage of the media covering their escapades.

What I’d rather see, is focus on 1 Timothy. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:1-4, NIV)

So…clearly the Bible shows that God would rather we spent our time praying for the wisdom of our President rather than striving to remove him before he has the chance to “ruin the country” – or perhaps before he has the chance to achieve great things for the American people?

But how can we be sure that prayer is the right course? What if Rosie, Tom and Larry are right? What of the thousands of Christians who vehemently oppose Donald Trump as president on their own justifiable moral grounds? How do we reconcile 1 Timothy with the Access Hollywood tape or the more than a dozen women who have accused the President of immoral conduct? For you, I offer God’s own words in a rather comprehensive passage from Romans.

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Rom 13:1-7, NIV)

I won’t go as far as claiming those in “fear” of what Donald Trump may accomplish must therefore be doing wrong, but I will say prayer for the President is a much better service to the people of America regardless of your position.

So my challenge for us today is this: Let Love fulfill the law. (Rom 13:8) Pray for the President, not that he accomplishes his agenda, but that he has the wisdom to act according to God’s leading. Not even Rosie O’Donnell can go wrong petitioning God that prayer.