A New Day

My eyes could not stop streaming with tears last night as we watched the acceptance speech of the first African American President of the United States. We have just elected a man of character: one who does not get easily shaken, nor toot his own horn, nor promote weapons over communication. That this man of character is an African American is the sweetness given by a God who is a Champion of the Oppressed.

Our new president represents a new day for America. May we now live into the principles established by our nation’s fathers still yet to be lived. We may encounter tough times to enter into that moment when we live by our principles, but may we keep marching forward to our new day.

Forty years ago a divinely appointed prophet to our country was martyred. But his dream lives on and thrives. Yesterday marked the most significant symbol that God has heard his dream. “The prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much,” says James. God may have spent decades to slowly but surely answer the prayer of our country’s prophet, but now on the prophetic 40 year anniversary of his martyrdom, God answered his prayer with a Miracle!

Could our nation – filled with fear, pride, and a lingering racial divide – have been willing to take a chance on a young, inexperienced black man with a name that calls to mind our country’s two greatest enemies?! The angels in heaven are laughing with God for setting up a candidate as unlikely as that! That we Americans have changed our hearts and minds so radically is nothing short of a Divine Miracle.

Oh Great Heavenly Father, now that You have brought forth this extraordinary miracle, in response to the prayer of your prophet to our country, may You now Pour down Your Spirit upon our new president! May he be a river flowing with Your Spirit! May he lead our country with righteousness. May he reconcile the divide in our country and return our nation to the rest of the world. Thank you and Amen.