The
title's double meaning is intended as such...to be provocative. And this post
is more venting than praying, but God is listening, the Spirit is nudging...
I couldn't vote for Donald Trump. It had
absolutely nothing to do with Republican vs. Democrat. I was put off by his
hateful demagoguery. Was that campaign style his true substance? Washington
gridlock is preferable to a belligerent pugilist in the White House.
I acknowledge that he gave voice to the
frustrations and fears of many who have been be hurt by global trade and
workplace automation. People who have lost jobs, taken pay cuts or had their
benefits reduced. People who have watched their hometowns decline right here in
NC as furniture and textile mills were shuttered.
That I understand, but the "heart" of his rhetoric was impossible to abide. DJT emboldened racial bigotry, degraded women, threatened immigrants, and
scorned the poor*- even the handicapped. And his supporters chanted and
cheered. Tapping into voter frustration is savvy politicking, but bringing out
the worst in people is dead wrong. I just couldn't get past that collision of
politics with my faith. The soul of America matters to this naive idealist!
Yet DJT was elected president. And I want to
move on. I can't quite say that he is my president, but I need to accept the reality that he is our president. Further protest, lament and wishing for his failure
portends even greater backsliding for the Nation.
A glass half full: I hope his business
acumen and deal-making instincts mean that he can solve a few of DC's
intractable problems. Unlike our political leaders, he seems to be a results
oriented pragmatist. He isn't bound by ideology. He's not a conservative and
he's barely a Republican. I'll give DJT a chance. Washington and its system are
broken. I believe he was elected as the populist disruptor-in-chief who might have some
luck as a fixer.
So,
I will pray for President Donald John Trump:
...for
sound judgement
...for
his effectiveness
...and
for his heart.
May
he rise to the occasion and
to the myriad challenges of the office.
May
the citizens of these States be United.
May God bless America.
May this rich and powerful country be a blessing to the planet.
Amen.
Here's
a prayer I posted after the 2012 election. It seems to be an evergreen!
Put not your trust in rulers.
My Bishop on prayers for the president.
Put not your trust in rulers.
My Bishop on prayers for the president.
* sojo.net, 1/17/17
