Honoring Our Nation's Presidents - The Crosswalk Devotional - February 16
Honoring Our Nation's Presidents
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” - Daniel 2:21
What does it take to be President of the United States of America? As our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, we probably have a wide variety of thoughts and answers to this question.
Still, throughout history, many men of various backgrounds, political leanings, religious beliefs, and stature have served as the President of the United States.
Although we hold elections in the United States, we don’t want to ignore what Daniel explains: that God has a hand in who comes into leadership in our nation and that we really are not the ones in control.
As we commemorate yet another President’s Day, it’s biblical to set time aside to honor the many men who have held the office, regardless of our political leanings.
Being the President of the United States of America takes bravery and fortitude, as it comes with serious caution and risks to both the sitting president’s life and career. In Prayers and Presidents, author and historian William J. Federer presents statistics on the danger that being President holds:
“Not every United States President left the White House on his own accord, with some dying in office and others murdered while serving. Four Presidents left office due to assassination, with the most famous and well-known accounts being those of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, and the 35th President, John F. Kennedy.
Along with them, lesser-recognized presidents were murdered while in office, including 20th President, James A. Garfield, and 25th President, William McKinley.
As well, 40th President Ronald Reagan and soon-to-be re-elected Donald J. Trump survived assassination attempts on their lives. Reagan, while in office, and Trump, while on the presidential campaign trail before taking office in his second nonconsecutive term as our 47th President at 78 years old.”
Regardless of the risks, from the very beginning of our nation’s birth, prayer has been recognized and encouraged by many of our Presidents, including our very first President, George Washington, who carried a well-worn pocket-sized edition of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.
Providence Forum executive director Dr. Jerry Newcombe describes how General Washington, during the Revolutionary War, felt the odds of winning were too great against us, so on July 4th, 1775—a year before independence—he sent the following order to his troops: “He requires and expects of all officers and soldiers, not engaged in actual duty, a punctual attendance on Divine service, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense.’"
Some doubt God’s hand in America’s history and on America’s leaders. But Proverbs 21:1 reveals that, “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please Him.”
As well, Proverbs 8:15 reassures us that God has a hand in who reigns and rules on earth: “By Me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just.”
God receives glory for directing ways presidents have honored Him, such as the 33rd President, Harry S. Truman, who initiated the National Day of Prayer as an annual observance in 1952, stating: “In times of national crisis when we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace… we stand in special need of Divine support.”
In April 1970, President Richard M. Nixon urged Americans to pray for the Apollo 13 astronauts who were in crisis. As well, after their safe return, he set aside Sunday, April 19, 1970, as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.
President Ronald Reagan established the National Day of Prayer on May 5, 1988, to be commemorated each year on the first Thursday in May, saying: “Americans in every generation have turned to their Maker in prayer… We have acknowledged… our dependence on Almighty God.”
Following the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, our 43rd President, George W. Bush, declared Days of Prayer.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
We are honoring God when we honor His accomplishments achieved through the leaders He places into office as our presidents. By recognizing their godly accomplishments, we are expressing gratitude and glorifying God for His just decrees.
Further Reading:
Seeing God’s Hand in America’s Freedom
How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Pool/Pool
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!
Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
