To my fellow American Christians

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.(I Timothy 2:1-4).”

Let me do a bit of preaching to my fellow Christians. I know it is irresistible to criticize, analyze, and even to attempt to prognosticate. However, as the above quotation teaches, whatever else we say, this is one directive about what we ought to do with our tongues, whatever else we may freely say.

 O LORD our Governor, whose glory is in all the world; We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to [Barak] THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, [and to Donald our President elect] and to all in Authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness; and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

From the 1928 BCP, Morning Prayer