IF GOD WERE TRUMP’S JUDGE
It is Wednesday, 5.29.24 at 5:00 in the afternoon. Judge Juan Merchan has dismissed the jury and the first day of deliberations has ended without a verdict. I feel a familiar restlessness like when God is calling me to pray, and that restlessness has been a bit of a companion of late.
For the past few days, weeks, and even months I have had thoughts that turned into prayers about Donald Trump. Some people are praying for his demise while others pray for his release from prosecution. In a spontaneous prayer “lifted” for a few fleeting seconds, I am suddenly aware that I’m questioning if my prayer is right. The prayer just seemed to fall flat. I sensed that I was praying for what “I wanted”. I honestly didn’t stop to think about praying any way other than what I wanted, so I stopped my prayer mid-sentence. I felt frustrated and realized “I don’t know how to pray” for The Donald Trump situation.
I imagine, but of course, can’t be certain, that there are a couple of ways God might handle the situation Mr. Trump finds himself in. A new thought reminds me that much of God’s future decisions could or would first depend on Trump’s past. WoW …. that last sentence could spark a conversation for hours. Let’s break it down.
GODS FUTURE DECISION: Let’s not kid ourselves. NO ONE knows what God’s future decision would be regarding anyone. Based on our limited knowledge of God, we can take an educated guess, but I think we’d come up short.
TRUMPS PAST: If I attempt to say that Trump did this or didn’t do that, therefore God should do this or that, then “I” might be guilty of judging unfairly or playing a role only God can accomplish. So, right now, one or even a handful of days stand between my prayer, God’s judgment, and the jury’s decision. My heart is heavy as my eyes and spirit watch the continued descent into madness in our great (but sadly) severely divided America. How do we know who is right and who is wrong? If I were in that jury room what would I do?
I know and trust that God sets up and tears down governments. God raises Kings, Presidents, and other leaders and removes them from power. (Daniel 2:21). God alone holds all people’s hearts, rich, poor, great, or small. God can turn the heart of even the greatest leader, judge, or jury. Ultimately God judges everything, both now and in the future. As I sat quietly thinking and praying, I sensed that God would have me to pray the same way Jesus prayed. My prayer, therefore, is as simple as the prayer Jesus prayed in the garden “Thy Will Be Done” Matthew 6:10.” When I pray that way, I have left “my will” at the altar and remember that I am trusting in a God who sees it all, reminds me not to fret and only asks me to pray. I’ve done that Lord, and now we wait for your sovereign will and ask for the strength to accept it, NO MATTER WHAT.
I am reminded almost daily that one day I too will be judged by God, and that this earth is not my home and I am just passing through. Thank You Father God for answering my prayer on “how to pray” and for your peace.
Love, Angela ~ John 3:3 / Ephesians 2:8,9
