Praying for Obama

Have you seen the new t-shirts encouraging others to pray for President Obama? The shirts have caused quite a stir. Why would such a seemingly positive message be so controversial? The shirt references Psalm 109:8 which says:

"May his years be few; let someone else take his position."

Very funny. But is it?

Psalm 109:9 goes on to say:

"May his children become fatherless and his wife a widow."

Ouch.

Are those who wear this shirt really encouraging others to pray for President Obama's untimely death?

In his letter to the church in Rome,Paul admonished Christians to submit to those in government:

"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished (Romans 13:1,2)."

It's one thing to be persecuted for being a follower of Christ. It's quite another thing to be persecuted for dishonoring Christ's name. In their attempt to be clever, the creators of this t-shirt give Christians a bad name and dishonor the very One we follow.

I'm not saying Christians need to agree with Obama and his policies. I'm not saying Christians shouldn't be involved in the political process. What I am saying is,

"Bless those that persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. Live in harmony with each other. And don't think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:14-18)."