It was in a hotel in Denver that I witnessed the first reactions to the election of Barack Obama as President. We were gathered for the free "continental breakfast." Doesn’t that sound exotic and elegant?

As the seasoned business travelers choked down the three week old cardboard Danishes and washed them down with coffee from the Eisenhower administration, there we all stood, looking at the T.V.

The businessmen had a wary, almost incredulous look on their faces. The housekeeping staff were awestruck, some had tears in their eyes. No one talked.

Something of momentous proportions has taken place. Of that there can be no doubt. What the implications are for us, both individually and corporately as a church, remain to be seen. No friend of Israel, the President elect will face challenges that will reveal his true convictions about our support of Israel.

Having said all of that, Barack Obama has been elected President of the United States, the Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces, and the most powerful leader in the world. Our responsibility as Christians is plain. We must pray for him and his family, that the Lord will guide and protect him.

We must also pray for Israel, that the leaders of the nation called God’s chosen people will have clarity of vision and undaunting purpose. We are still the most privileged, blessed people on earth. We still have much to do to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.

Lord bless our new President and those with whom he will serve. Please give us insight into Your purposes for our church in such a time as this. We ask it in Jesus’ Name. Amen.