1. The Bible tells us to
Paul writes to the young preacher Timothy,
"First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NET).
Christians should pray for everyone, with a special emphasis placed on those who have civil authority. We should pray for Donald Trump and all our elected officials. We should pray that they will make choices that will allow Christians to live a "peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." Really, we should be praying for leaders the world over so that Christians everywhere may be able to live peaceful, godly lives.
2. He has a soul
Paul continues to Timothy,
"Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time" (1 Timothy 2:3-6 NET).
We need to ask ourselves if we want Donald Trump to be saved as much as God does. Jesus Christ died as a ransom for all; even Donald Trump. God desperately wants to see Donald Trump saved, and therefore he should be kept in our prayers. Lord willing, as we continue to pray, Trump will be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. Our prayers should be with all who live without a knowledge of the truth--the president included.
3. It's what Jesus would do
Some view Donald Trump as their enemy, this would be even more of a reason to pray for him. Even if he is proud, arrogant, rude, a lover of money, etc., he still is worthy of our love and prayers. After all, Christians have a moral obligation to respect and pray for those residing in offices of authority, and it's what Jesus would do:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48 NET).
It seems there are two popular, extreme views of Donald Trump among Christians. One is that he is so morally perfect, there is no need to pray for him because God is unfailingly on his side. The other is that Donald Trump is a lost cause; too evil and arrogant to waste our prayers on. Neither of these views are biblical. Trump needs our prayers, and God is listening. May Christians remember to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12 ESV).
