I confess, I can be so politically oblivious at times.  That is why as I launched into Romans 13 this morning I sort of ho-hummed and thought, “Yes, I know, we’re supposed to be subject to the authorities and obey the law.”  Not much to say about this passage.  It is relevant but marginal.  Little did I know how relevant it was until I opened my Igoogle on my way to posting this blog.  In the NPR news, I found an article explaining why some people want to put an end to the governmentally proclaimed National Day of Prayer.  They have some reasonable objections regarding freedoms, though they seem a little extreme to me.  As a Christian, though, I must think about what my belief system tells me about my relationship to the government.  From Romans 13 and other places, I learn at least a few things:

“Be subject to the governing authorities.” “Be a good citizen.”  (Two different translations of Romans 13:1).  Now what that means becomes a little tricky, especially when we look at the second part of the verse:

“All governments are under God.  Insofar as there is peace and order, it is God’s peace and order.” Remember that God really is the Sovereign King of the Cosmos, and all plans and politics are ultimately under his rule, even when it appears He may be missing something.

So live responsibly as a citizen.” This last part of the verse, as it is translated by Eugene Peterson gives room for the law of love of God and neighbor to supersede governmental laws when they do harm to God’s creation.  Consider Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela as examples of citizens living responsibly while fighting the law of the land.

Moving beyond this verse into the larger context of Scripture:

Respect governmental authorities. Tim Keller has a wonderful section in Counterfeit Gods describing how and why we have a tendency to “demonize” political opponents.  I have to swallow hard when I hear Romans 13 telling me to be “subject” to authority…at the very least it means to have a humble attitude and to respect them.

Pray for governments and elected officials.  Every day. I don’t know whether it’s constitutional to have a National Day of Prayer or not.  This I do know, especially considering the powerlessness we feel over some of the decisions made by our elected officials, we must develop a discipline of praying for them — EVERY DAY.  Pray for wisdom, insight, humility, love, health, family, among other things.  Don’t just pray that they will adopt your agenda.  Do pray that they will bow before the King of all governments.

Okay, I’m out of time.  I’m sure I’m leaving out a lot, so please comment on what you think our responsibility as Christians toward the government should be.  Here’s the link to the NPR article:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126424076&ft=1&f=1001