400. That’s a nice round number.

And to celebrate that number, I’m gonna talk Politics. 

July 3rd was Thailand’s general elections. The Pheua Thai Party won. Again. Thaksin Shinawatra’s little sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is now Prime Minister. The day after the election, while American’s celebrated their Independance, we were bombarded with familiar headlines like “Thailand’s Democrats seek ban on Thaksin party” and “Yingluck: Thaksin case to be reviewed” and “Thaksin set for ‘trade ambassador’ role”.

Memories
Light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories
Of the way we were….  
(The Way We Were, as sung by Barbara Streisand)

It’s all too familiar.

A few days before the election, we got together to pray for Thailand. We were all concerned about the outcome of the election, not because we had particular political views and alliances. Our major concern was the reaction of the military/ the elite class (yellow shirts), and Thakin’s supporters (red shirts). At least one group was not going to be happy with the result. How would they respond?

Like all good Prayer Warriors, I stepped into the fray and prayed a passionate prayer.
Father God, you are Lord over the earth and this nation. You make kingdoms and powers rise and fall. You put rulers in their place, and you depose them. You soften and harden hearts for Your purpose. I pray that you would appoint the Prime Minister of Thailand. Direct the hearts of your people to vote wisely and in submission to Your will for Thailand. And no matter who wins on Sunday, I pray that Your people would be content, that they would not be divided by colours. I pray that they would be a uniting force in this nation, and pray for their leaders. (based on Ex 10:27; Is 40:22-24; Col 1:16)

As soon as I stopped praying, God asked me, “Do you believe I put Obama in place?”
I was speechless. I sat there a minute, while others continued to pray.
“Do you believe I appointed Obama?”
“Well, yes,” I said with hesitation.
“They why don’t you pray for him? Why do you criticize and mock him? Why aren’t you content with my choice for America? Why do you divide instead of unite?”

I seriously didn’t know how to respond. I felt about an inch tall. Plummeting from my pedestal of wisdom and holiness.

The Bible clearly tells us to honour and respect our rulers and leaders (1 Peter 2:17; Luke 20:21-25).  Even if we don’t agree with them. I’m not saying we cannot enter healthy debate about policy, etc. But mockery and disdain is not healthy, nor is it respectful or honouring.

For Example, I recently discovered “Klavan on the Culture”. Many of Klavan’s presentations are funny and informative. I enjoy a little sarcasm and biting humor. With American media so biased to the Left, it’s good to get some information from the Right. But there’s many times he takes the point too far. Or starts so far out in the stratosphere of the Right that I’m left cringing before he finishes the first sentence. 

What it all comes down to, I believe, is that we need start from a place of prayer when we are considering the policies and actions of our political leaders. Many times our opinions of these things are based more on My Feelings, My Views, My Perceptions, My Rights, My Understanding of History and Politics. Even when we believe we have a Biblical view on the matter, we can be wrong, because it is tainted by “My” Worldview. We need to pray for our governments, our nations, our leaders – asking God to give us His perspective on the policies and the people involved.

Why did God appoint Obama? God does give the people their hearts desire. Remember Israel and King Saul? (1 Samuel 8&9) And sometimes He gives us a King or leads us into ‘slavery’ in order to soften our hard hearts and lead us to a place of brokenness and repentance on a National Level (ie. God’s People, The Church, The Body of Believers) (Jer 27-29; 2 Chron 7:14).

Revival starts with repentance in the Hearts of God’s People. It starts when we stop fighting about who is right and who is wrong, and we get down on our faces before God and ask Him what He thinks.

So, my Challenge to you and myself is that: Next time you hear your political leader (I won’t name anyone, because my audience is on several continents) makes a speech or policy decision, and you are annoyed, flabbergasted, angered, or even pleased, sit down and pray. Pray for your leaders for wisdom and blessing; for success and prosperity; ask God for His perspective; ask God to turn your heart towards that leader and that leaders heart towards God.