February 17 is Presidents’ Day. But how is it we have one of these days anyway? It started as a day set aside to honor George Washington’s birthday. A former neighbor of mine used to talk about money as being a way of honoring presidents. He said you have to die before they put you on a greenback so he sarcastically called them “dead Presidents”. So far we have had 45 men in 47 presidencies, and yes, based on sociological studies, there is a definite carryover between the man in the Oval Office and what’s going on in the world around them. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Tim. 2.1-4, “That we should offer prayers—intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and those in authority, so we can live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God, who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth.” It strikes me that one of the best ways of being political is to spend time praying for whoever is in office, be they the president, a congressperson, a governor, or even a mayor. What do you think?

Ps.22.28 reminds us that the Lord rules over the nations. Sometimes people have a hard time surrendering to Him, but your and my prayers could make a big difference there. One more response from us could enhance their governing: Heb 13.17, says “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no benefit to you.” Makes sense.

The 4 highest-rated presidents in American history are Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt. Of all the presidents, the one that is rated as the best was Jimmy Carter—because he got the most accomplished—more in 4 years than most would in 8. I was always impressed with his working on Habitat for Humanity in retirement rather than golfing.  

There are a lot of quotable quotes from many of the presidents. This one for instance: “There can be no greater good than the quest for peace, and no finer purpose than the preservation of freedom.” - Ronald Reagan.  “There is no honor for what a person received, but rather for what he gave.” - Calvin Coolidge. “The national character cannot be built by law. It is the sum of the moral fiber of its individuals.” - Herbert Hoover. Another quote that I don’t remember who said it, but, “When a government lacks honor, the morals of the whole people are poisoned.” We need to pray for whoever is on the Hill.  

Lastly, one of the more thoughtful quotes is this one: “All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort—a sustained effort—to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.” - Barack Obama.

We do have our problems, but if we look around like one fellow who came back to this country knowing he would be arrested as soon as he stepped off the plane, said he’d rather be in jail in America than free anywhere else. And as Paul said, we should pray for our leaders. Join me in this?