To all Christians interested in the Church’s witness at the onset of the Trump Administration:

It seems obvious that the Trump election resulted from many diverse factors. Some were less than noble impulses of the American psyche along with at least one legitimate concern that he made center stage. The only faithful role for the church toward any presidential administration is that of loyal opposition. Loyal, not to the opposing political party, but rather to Jesus Christ. We may find ways to encourage or support various things the new President does but it seems extremely unlikely that we will find ourselves supporting the attitudes and ideologies that ground the view of reality of these folks. They are not evil incarnate. But the “principalities and powers” seem to have a firm foothold among them. And it is the latter against whom we struggle according to the apostle Paul (Eph.6:10-12). Trump and his people are as much a victim of these powers as the people they diminish, dismiss, harm, or victimize in some way (as all administrations do). Social justice that

-does not attack these “powers” and see our human opponents as victims in the sense just described and therefore in need of the forgiveness, acceptance, and renewal of Jesus Christ is not biblical.

-is not steeped in prayer and faithful proclamation of the gospel is not biblical.

Uncritical support of any political candidate or office holder is not Christian. Not even if that person is a Christian. Christians who voted for Trump ought to have at least some qualms about who he is and what he will do and how he will do it. You too ought to be a part of the loyal opposition I am describing. You may be more supportive of what he is trying to do than others in this opposition. That is fine. Our unity in Christ is not one of political agreement any more than it is of doctrinal agreement. It is unity under the Lordship of Christ over all of history and creation. Surely we can join together under that Lordship to pray for and work together as much as possible for the well-being and spread of the kingdom of God in our country. 

To that end I propose that churches in every city or town create a prayer fellowship for Inauguration Day. I suggest a day long season of prayer that day with continuous prayer offered for the new administration and the country. Each city will develop a list of pray-ers who will pray in thirty-minute increments from 7am to 7pm. Each site will be staffed in conjunction with the hosting church. Materials and prayers to be used, if desired, will be available for use. Each city will need a coordinator(s) to get the site, develop a list of pray-ers, staff the site on Inauguration Day, and develop and provide materials for reflection and prayer.

I will serve as a co-ordinator for the Longview, TX area.

This is a dream at this point. I have no infrastructure to make it happen. Individuals who read this will have to be moved to share this vision of a church at prayer across lines of division joining heads, hands, and hearts as Christians to pray (1 Tim.2:1-2) for the well-being of our country. I can’t imagine anything more important to do that day!

I will be sending this to church and civic leaders in my area to ask they share it with their congregations and contacts for the purpose of developing contacts. Those in others area likely need to do the same. And develop other avenues of communication and recruitment appropriate to your settings. This is a new dream for me. I’m spinning it out on the fly here because time is short. My hope is that we will have groups across the nation praying the whole day of the Inauguration. Whatever other differences we may have, wouldn’t this be the most appropriate thing for the church to do at the onset of the new administration.

So, I hope you who read this will both pray and participate in this venture. If you want to let me know you are doing that, that would be great. You can message me here on facebook or at lawyatt@aol.com or 214-679-2960. At any rate, I’m going to get started here in Longview right now.

Peace,

Lee A. Wyatt