Preserved by Purpose: God’s Transition Team
A number of years ago, I wrote about attending a ministry conference where the
speaker Dr. Frances Myles brought up the issue of shifts and transitions. What I remember most was his statement that many people can accept change but can’t handle transition. He then explained how he saw change as a sudden situational shift but that transition was the process of letting go of the way things used to be and grabbing hold of those things as they will be.
Fast forward years later and I can apply his words to this year’s presidential election.
The change that many in our country prayed for came on November 7 th when former Vice President Joe Biden was declared president elect and Senator Kamala Harris became the first African American and women declared vice president. Crowds poured into streets across the nation celebrating the news that Trump had been defeated in his effort to win reelection.
Now comes the hard part: the transition…and beginning the process of moving forward.
Some have eagerly embraced the transition because their candidate won; others will fight the transition because their candidate lost. Complicating the issue this year is the fact that Trump is refusing to accept the loss and concede. One way that we can ensure that we move forward peacefully is by praying for God’s guidance. Despite our desires, not all of us can be a part of Biden’s team that helps him transition into the presidency. However, we can all do our part and be a part of God’s “transition team” by offering prayers for him, his family and his administration. I’d like to offer this prayer from my former pastor the late Rev. Dr. Jerome McNeil that he prayed during the transition time of the Obama administration. I’ve changed it to reflect our current times. During this time of transition, we should keep in mind the words of Jeremiah 29:11, “I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering. You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers.”
Dear Lord:
We come before you with humility and awareness of your mercy and grace. We seek now a divine intervention for the President -Elect and family. We pray for extraordinary wisdom and dependence upon you in the circumstances he faces. May the celebratory actions of the victory not cause us to lose sight of your presence in this outcome. May you inhabit the praises of your people. Surround him with people of integrity and faith. May this nation experience healing in unfathomed proportions. Lord let us as your people not neglect the awareness of our remaining and unchanging dependence upon you. Allow us to handle victory in the solemn awareness of how quick people forget. May we draw strength and peace to know that your hand will never be forgotten. We just want to say thank you for the hope that you always give us and the love you always have shown us. We honor your Holy name and pray for the Biden and Harris families now and forever more.
In Jesus Name…AMEN!
Shewanda Riley is a Fort Worth-based author of “Love Hangover: Moving From Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends” and “Writing to the Beat of God’s Heart: A Book of Prayers for Writers.” Email her at preservedbypurpose@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @shewanda.