President Obama's Jesus-Faith

Three years ago two professors from one of Chicago's main theological seminaries asked to meet with me re. my seminary teaching experiences and methods in the area of spiritual formation. During one of our discussions the topic of (soon-to-be) President Obama's Christian faith came up. These professors knew Obama and were able to tell me some things about him. His faith is genuine and enduring, they said. That's the report from the inside.

I thought of this as I read Pres. Obama's speech given today, which emphasized his faith in Jesus.

•  "It is the biblical injunction to serve the least of these that keeps me going and keeps me from being overwhelmed." Thank God for anyone, including our President, who lives and breathes by Jesus' words in Matthew 25.
• "My Christian faith has been sustaining for me over the last couple of years and even more so when Michelle and I hear our faith questioned from time to time. We are reminded that ultimately what matters is not what other people say about us but that we are true to our conscience and true to our God."
• 
  "When I wake in the morning, I wait on the Lord, I ask him to give me the strength to do right by our country and our people. And when I go to bed at night, I wait on the Lord and I ask him to forgive me my sins and to look after my family and to make me an instrument of the Lord."
• Obama spoke at length about his prayer life, saying his prayers fall into three categories: for those who are struggling, for personal humility, and to be closer to God.
• "Faith reminds me that in spite of being one very imperfect man I can still help whoever I can, however I can, wherever I can for as long as I can, and that somehow God will buttress these efforts."
• "The second recurring theme in my prayer is a prayer for humility," Obama said later. "God answered the prayer early on by having me marry Michelle."
• "The challenge is to balance this uncertainty and humility with a need to fight for deeply held convictions," he continued. "I pray for this wisdom very day. I pray for God to show me and all us the limits of our understanding."
• With regard to his third kind of prayer, Obama said the recurring theme "is that I might walk closer to God and make that walk my first and most important walk."

Shall we continue to pray for our President, his wife, and his staff and cabinet? Paul wrote:  "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4)