A prayer for this presidential term

Inauguration Day is nearly here and with it comes the start of a new presidential term, or a repetition, depending on where you stand.

Eight years ago, Gabe and I had the insane opportunity to attend the 2017 inauguration. I was in the process of obtaining my permanent residency and we felt that the inauguration was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to see democracy in action.

After being approved for tickets, we road tripped up to Washington, D.C., got up at the crack of dawn for the inauguration, and waited a couple of hours with thousands of Americans to see a peaceful transition of power from President Barack Obama to President Donald J. Trump.

Now, thousands more are preparing to once again attend an inauguration and witness democracy in action. And though it’s for a leader we’re already familiar with, it’s with a brand new administration and vice president. More importantly, the next four years will come with unexpected trials and joys that he, and our country, will face.

Four years ago on the day of President Joe Biden’s inauguration, I shared the photo of us above with the following thoughts and as we step into a new-ish era my prayer remains the same….

Four years ago, at the height of my immigration journey, Gabe and I attended the 2017 Presidential Inauguration. I was still a couple of years away from citizenship but I was so proud to stand with thousands of Americans to watch a peaceful transition of power.

Now, four years later and watching from home, I am still proud—as an AMERICAN (!!!)—to experience another peaceful transition of power.

Guys, we are so privileged to live in America! To watch peaceful transitions of power every four to eight years, and to have the ability to share our differences, no matter what they might be. I will never take that for granted, no matter who sits at the helm of the nation. Instead, I will pray for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the same way I prayed for Donald Trump and Mike Pence. And I will continue to put my trust in the One who holds my future—God and God alone.

With single digits to President-elect Trump’s second term, I will pray for him and Vice President-elect JD Vance in the same way that I lifted up President Biden and Vice President Harris and President Trump and Vice President Pence before them. I encourage you to do the same.

I don’t know what’s ahead for our country and, ultimately, you don’t either. Only God does. So at this point, all we can do is sit back and trust that He knows what He’s doing and continue to live our lives in a way that uplifts those around us and portrays His face and love on this broken earth.

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life…” 1 Timothy 2:1-2, NKJV

Happy Friday, friends!