New Year Brings Same Flawed Leaders
With the recent hysteria about mysterious drones circling the country and predictions of conflict amid a new presidential administration, it’s worth reflecting on a comment made two-plus centuries ago. It came from legendary British spiritual leader John Wesley, whose impact on America includes credit as the founder of Methodism. In a letter to a friend back in England, Wesley wrote, “My love affair with the American people is endangered by their miserable political leaders.”
Wesley uttered those words in colonial times, on the eve of the American Revolution. When I read them, I thought, “Gosh. He was talking about the founding fathers.”
Right. Those ordinary, flawed, and in some cases slave-owning individuals who led the revolt against what they saw as overbearing British rule.
Ill-Equipped Winners
They were a ragtag bunch, ill-equipped, disorganized and the least likely of armies to win a war. At least, that was the distinct impression I formed reading historian David McCullough’s best-selling 1776.
In fact, they were such underdogs that I still marvel at them emerging triumphant. Despite those who would scorn such an idea, I believe it demonstrated the hand of God at work.
In the same way, the plans of Southern General Robert E. Lee fell into the hands of Union soldiers prior to a key battle midway through the Civil War.
Though the two forces fought to a draw, the fighting delayed Lee’s advance. That scuttled Lee’s plan to invade Washington, D.C. and surround the Capitol in hopes of demoralizing the Union.
How could such a thing happen if divine forces weren’t at work?
Command to Pray for Leaders
The interesting thing about leaders is God’s directive that we are to pray for them. Given some of the obvious shortcomings of leaders in today’s invasive, high-tech world, it’s easy to scoff: “What? Pray for those jokers?!”
And yet Paul—who wound up losing his life to the Roman rulers he was referring to—wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1-2: “Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty” (MEV).
During the run-up to the Nov. 5 election, when I confronted stomach-turning choices on both sides of the ballot, I gained a new appreciation for the apostle’s advice.
If we are to have any hope for the future, we better pray for those who will make the decisions that affect our well-being.
Need for Intercession
That means the same leaders who needed prayer in 1776 also need it in 2025. Desperately. Given the presence of modern high-tech lynch mobs and those ready to use violence to settle their grievances, leadership has never been more fraught with danger.
Especially when it comes to national offices. In order to serve at that level, one needs nerves of steel, a cast-iron stomach, and a tough-as-nails resolve to hang in there.
The latter observation stems from the recent Time magazine story about our two most recent (and future) presidents. The headline: “Trump’s and Biden’s Advisers Had the Same Problem: a Stubborn Candidate.”
Given the wisdom of 1 Timothy 2:1-2, I would say one reason the United States is grappling with such serious problems is our disregard for praying for our leaders. We should heed Paul’s words. Our life depends on it.
