General Overseer Hill Calls for Prayer for Leaders
Following the historic U.S. elections last week, the General Overseer of the Church of God, Dr. Timothy M. Hill, issued the following challenge and call to prayer to the members and adherents of the Church of God:
“Though the political world has changed drastically over the last few days, the Church corporately must remain an institution of great influence. The Church is still a place that society looks to for divine leadership on significant issues facing our world – and not necessarily to our political leaders. The Church, and especially the Church of God, must maintain its position as a true compass of what is right – and just – for all.
In today’s society, it is easy to view the Church as a weekly activity that only occurs within the confines of a physical structure. But the Church is so much more than a building and a weekly event. The Church holds the message of hope, justice, unity and peace that must be spread across our nation and around the globe. The Church must lead, not only through our words, but more importantly, through our actions. We must be bold, constructive and innovative, but most importantly, we must be “salt and light.”
The post-election responses throughout the nation have been varied as people from all walks of life are now engaged in a wide range of expressions, ranging from jubilation to outright dismay, frustration, and even anger. Regardless of how you feel about the election results, I urge every Church of God congregation in the United States to embrace the Apostle Paul’s admonition found in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (KJV):
“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 Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
This scriptural admonition stresses our obedience to the Lord, our obligation to leaders and our opportunity to love our fellow man, again being “salt and light.”
As never before, the Church has an opportunity to proclaim by word and most certainly by deed our commitment to exemplify love, eradicate fear, and elevate righteousness, justice and peace for all. My personal commitment today is to walk in integrity, speak with compassion – yet clarity, be attentive to the needs of my fellow man and pray for peace in every community throughout our land. As a church, our purpose to come in the weeks and months ahead – should not be to speak as Democrats or Republicans, but as redeemed men and women – sinners saved by grace, sharing hope with everyone in this nation and around the world in the spirit and power of Pentecost. The Great Commission demands no less.
Most importantly, please do not stop praying for our country now that the election is over. The president-elect, the new Congress, and all our government leaders need our prayers now more than ever.”
