A Few Reasons to Pray for Obama

Since the last email to our newsletter list I have received about 430 emails concerning the topic of Barak Obama, Rick Warren and Islam. I am going to pick just a few and reprint them in the next email we send. Reading those selections then will give you an idea of the vastly differing opinions of our readers.

Here, I want to bring to light a few little known facts and a couple of pertinent Scriptures that all relate to America, our new President and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Church is called, actually commanded to pray for our political leaders. It matters not whether we personally voted for someone or not. Whether we like particular politicians and their policies or disdain what they stand for, the Scriptures implore us to intercede for the leaders in our society. Here are the Apostle's words in I Timothy 2:1-4.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We are commanded to pray for our leaders that through their work peace, honesty and civility will abound in our nation and godliness will have free reign. We need to pray for our leaders in such a way that God be glorified and that those who need to be saved would come to faith in Jesus Christ. Daily we need to ask that those who already know Jesus would be strengthened and led by His Spirit. We need to pray "evangelistically" for many and not just for our favorite politicians but also for those who appear to be farthest from God. As we do, we need to ask God to position, use and yes, even manipulate them, their positions and their power for His glory. Surely Almighty God can use even the most ungodly public officials to bring about His desired results.

In II Thessalonians 3:1-3 the Apostle Paul enumerates again on why it is important that we pray earnestly for the politicians in our countries today.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

You see, we are to pray that the Gospel will spread and be proclaimed freely! For this to be done in quiet and peace (as Paul's words to Timothy express) we need to pray for the salvation of our leaders. This is why that though we stand against so many of the plans that Barak Obama proclaims he wants to accomplish, we must pray for his soul. No matter where we might be in the-end-of-the-end-days, our mission is clearly to pray, witness and remember that as we battle against evil God always rewards our efforts by filling the pages of the Lambs Book of Life!

Fruit Inspection

I have received several emails taking me to task and assuring me that the new President is indeed a Christian. They said, after all, Obama attends church and he said he was a Christian didn't he? My response has been that anyone can claim to be a Christian but it is through an inspection of their fruits that we'll know if they are genuine believers or not. While I cannot judge anyone's heart, the Bible does instruct us to judge by a man's actions and attitudes. I hope it is clear that I want any and every person in need of the Saviour to fall on the mercy of God through the blood of Jesus Christ. So by simply reviewing the legislation that he has previously supported and by just the statements he has made (such as the one quoted below) I strongly suggest that Mr. Obama reevaluate just where his spiritual life is headed.

For those who are skeptical of my words, let me site the book, The God Factor: Inside the Spiritual Lives of Public People, by Chicago Sun-Times religion editor Cathleen Falsani who interviewed (then) Senator Obama in 2004. He stated, "I'm rooted in the Christian tradition. I believe there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people." Falsani reports that Obama thinks that "all people of faith - Christians, Jews, Muslims, animists, everyone - know the same God." Obama continues, "The difficult thing about any religion, including Christianity, is that at some level there is a call to evangelize and proselytize. There's the belief, certainly in some quarters, that if people haven't embraced Jesus Christ as their personal savior, they're going to hell." Falsani adds, "Obama doesn't believe he, or anyone else, will go to hell. But he's not sure he'll be going to heaven, either." This surely appears to be nothing more that the politically correct doublespeak of a Universalist who claims to be a Christian. Until I hear authentic Christianity coming from his lips followed by actions to match his words, I will continue to pray for our new President to have a genuine conversion by faith, for God to speak clearly to him, to convict him of sin and yes, to even lead him by the nose to accomplish Heaven's purposes if need be.

A couple of emailers even accused me of endorsing slavery for stating stuff like that. I wrote recently that we need to pray for God to "put a hook in Obama's nose to make him accomplish the will of the Lord." It is silly to believe that I was endorsing slavery or racism. Instead, I was quoting Isaiah's prophecy of how God would deal with Sennacherib for acting in disobedience to the will of the Lord. (II Kings 19:28 states: Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.)

As is obvious, I am not a fan of the past policies and confused spirituality of Barak Obama. I would hold to this position if only on the issue of abortion - but there is of course much more. (In the article "Rick Warren Should Have Rejected Obama's Offer" I gave ample facts as to how utterly chilling Obama's view of abortion has been. It is in fact, one of the few things we actual know from his short political track record.) Now however, it seems that every day a new policy, executive order or choice of cabinet members and advisors gives us more pause to be concerned about the incoming administration. Its frankly too much to keep up with but here are just three items that the major media isn't widely reporting about President Obama. These may even give the skeptics more reason to pray than they once thought.

Obama Stimulus Bill targets Christians 

According to an interview by OneNewsNow.com, our old friend Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of theAmerican Center for Law & Justice, says there is a provision in the Obama Stimulus Bill that allows for funds to be given by the federal government in the form of grants for renovation of existing colleges and universities - as long as the schools do not allow religious activities to take place on their grounds.

Sekulow says there are two points that prohibit a university from funding in the bill. "One, if the university itself is a religiously based or faith-based institution, it does not qualify. And if the facility that is being renovated allows religious worship to take place, it also does not qualify."

Specifically, the provision reads that stimulus funds may not be used for "modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities -- (1) used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or (2) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission."

Under that provision, according to Sekulow, many schools would bar on-campus worship or even Bible study because it will put federal funding in jeopardy. That, he says, should raise a warning flag in a federal courthouse. (Read entire article here.)

Obama Carries "Monkey God" Idol among other "Charms" 

The Chicago Tribune reported in late June, 2008 that Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) carries a series of good luck charms with him. One of those charms is a Hindu brass monkey king. The charm is an image of Hanuman, Hinduism's monkey god.

Brij Mohan Bhama, a politician associated with the ruling party in India, is a follower of Hanuman and presented the Senator with a 2-foot-high gold-plated Hanuman idol, which had been blessed by a dozen Hindu priests in a special prayer service. According to Bhama, "Obama has deep faith in Lord Hanuman and that is why we are presenting an idol of Hanuman to him." Bhama also told The Hindu news: "We will ensure that Mr. Obama receives the idol by August 24, a day before the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado." In addition to the idol, Obama will also receive a Hindu hymn book called the Hanuman Chalisa.

Hanuman is a Hindu god worshipped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. Hanuman's exploits are recounted in a Hindu epic called Ramayana.

Obama also carries an American Eagle pin given to him by a Native American woman and a poker chip given to him by one of his supporters, a Madonna and child, and a bracelet belonging to a soldier deployed to Iraq. (Read entire article here and more here.)

Obama "Disses" Marine Corp Band - Arabic language song will be played at public events instead of the traditional "Hail to the Chief"

AOL News reported:

On Day One of his presidency, everywhere Mr. Obama went they played "Hail to the Chief" for him - but not since. In fact the U.S. Marine Band's duties at the White House over the last 10 days appear to have been dramatically downsized.

Instead of the usual contingent of trumpets, tubas and drums, a single piano player now provides musical interludes before and after the president's appearance.

And the tunes have little connection to the military marching music of John Phillips Souza that is the usual accompaniment to presidential appearances. These days the pianist's repertoire includes Cole Porter's "Night and Day" and Sting's "Desert Rose."

"He's not a 'Pomp and Circumstance' kind of guy," says press secretary Robert Gibbs of the new president. (Read entire story here.)

(Click here to hear Obama's replacement for "Hail to the Chief." It is by Sting and features Algerian-born rai singer, Cheb Mami, performing in Arabic. Can Barak's choice in music be traced back to that schooling he received in the madrassa? I suppose the US Marine Band can take the slogan "The Presidents Own" off their website too.)

About Sting's collaborator on "Desert Rose" Cheb Mami... Though once arrested by French officials, as far as I can ascertain Cheb Mani is under an international arrest warrant after being indicted in October 2006 for "voluntary violence, sequestration and threats" against an ex-girlfriend, and failing to answer a court summons on May 14, 2007. He is accused of having tried to force his former girlfriend, a magazine photographer, to have an abortion. During a trip to Algeria in the summer of 2005, the alleged victim is said to have been locked in a house belonging to one of Mami's friends, where an abortive procedure was attempted on her.

The Two Most Important Reasons to Pray for Obama

(1) The future of our nation is at stake. I encourage Americans to pray for our leaders like we have never prayed before. I am also asking Christians around the world to pray for America. Should the Lord delay His coming, I for one want my grandchildren and their grandchildren to live in peace and freedom with the ability to openly worship and to share the Gospel with the lost without fear.

(2) Unless the Church prays we can only expect the worst. So we must pray. Souls are at stake starting with President Obama's. You better believe that Satan is concentrating a lot of energy on deceiving and manipulating the powerful in Washington to accomplish his goals. Let's not quit but keep believing by faith. If God can save us then He is surely able to save Barak and if God can birth this nation he can surely revive it.

Eric Barger

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. - Proverbs 29:2

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. - II Chronicles 7:14