St. Paul writes the following instruction: “First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.” Paul reminds us of our role to pray for our leaders. We do this for them and for us. For them so that they will be saved. For us so that we may be free to live out our faith. When Christians were accused of insurrection Justin Martyr wrote, “And more than all other men we are your helpers and allies in promoting peace.” Catholics are good citizens precisely because we pray for our leaders.
Our concern for our new president stems not only from his role as our leader, but also from the fact that he is a baptized Catholic. President Biden’s views on key moral teachings places him outside communion with the Church. Like Christ we seek out the lost sheep. We do not stop at censure, but conversion. St. Peter reminds us: “The Lord… is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
We pray for the sanctification of our new president. We pray that he changes his views on key moral teachings. So that all may, in the words of St. Paul, “lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.”
