Capitol Prayer Alert

by Carol Bauer: Have you noticed what I've noticed? The past few years on the political scene have been quite intense. As you look back, it is amazing to see how many newsworthy events have been packed into each week. The speed of the news is breathtaking, making a daily newspaper seem obsolete before the ink dries.

Most of the dizzying events seem to revolve around the 45th president and his statements, policies, rallies or tweets. At times it feels like he has sucked all the air out of the political room with his big personality, constant presence and laser-focused efforts to get things done before he faces the voters again in November.

If you stand back from the frenetic pace of each week, you can see certain themes that emerge, several repeated over and over. From the "Not My President" or "Resistance" movement to Russia and charges of collusion and obstruction to being a puppet of Russian President Vladimir Putin to an unpredictable foreign policy to chaos in the White House to Russia again to Ukraine and impeachment and Russia yet again, there is a familiarity to the political playbook that begins to take shape.

When you stand back it looks like this: A fiery charge, media hysteria, and then we wait a couple weeks to see if the latest iteration has staying power. When it doesn't, it's on to the next fiery charge.

The only good thing is that those directing the process are beginning to look like a comedy routine with their outrageous, repetitive charges lacking factual basis. This week it was the familiar charge that Trump is a puppet of Putin (boy is that one getting old!) and a regurgitated one from a former leader of the Democrat Party (Howard Dean) charging that if President Trump is re-elected he would give Alaska back to Russia!

Yes, the familiar playbook is still being used on the same issues, but they are beginning to ring hollow. Charge after charge lacking evidence loses its power. Outrageous characterization after outrageous characterization leaves one amused at the empty effort rather than convinced of the validity of the charges.

Meanwhile, economic numbers continue to be good, impeachment is behind us and the focus of the upcoming campaign could be the striking contrast between healthy economic growth in a capitalistic economy and outright socialism marked by government control of nearly every aspect of our lives.

As the other side of the aisle seems headed toward chaos, the future looks somewhat promising for extending the Trump agenda for at least another four years. After constantly fending off attacks from all sides, it almost feels like we can catch our collective breath, doesn't it?

And that's my worry. In the past few days I've heard too many folks with whom you and I would be aligned comment on the upcoming election as a slam dunk win, describing the disarray on the other side as setting up a landslide for us. Friends, I urge you not to be lulled into complacency. Though we can take heart in recent events and the outlook ahead, we must not rest in our efforts.

Please pray for the president, vice president and all our elected officials in this tumultuous time. Ask our Heavenly Father to guide them to make the best decisions for the long-term well-being of the country.

Prompt them to recognize that they are now the stewards of a vibrant America and that decisions they make today will have an impact for generations to come. Pray that they would be wise in a time that can feel like we have hit a new low in our political life.

The choices ahead look very stark as the differences between individual candidates come into clearer focus. Ask our Heavenly Father to be generous in granting us opportunities and words with which to make an impact on those with whom we discuss the nation's future and the political choices before us. Give us grace in our conversations and courage to effectively make our points.

The impact of the coronavirus on our country and the world is uncertain. It feels as though we are just at the beginning of the process of understanding how it is spread and the potential impact on individual lifestyles and the American economy.

Words have power. The potential for overreaction is present and so is the possibility of painting too rosy a picture. Yes, so far the United States has been spared a large outbreak due in part to decisions made by the administration in the past few weeks. For that, we are thankful.

But the next several weeks are critical as we learn more about the virus, examine how it spreads and intensify research to find a vaccine.

Pray that all those in public life -- from the president and other political leaders to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokespeople to physicians and talking heads in the media -- would be more aware than ever of the power of their words as they speak to a country on edge.

Ask God to guide them in the words they choose, the emphasis they give, the guidance they pass along and the impression they give to a concerned people. Pray that each would be very aware of the power of their descriptions, and ask God to guide them in being accurate and precise yet calming.

Also, ask God to comfort those afflicted with the virus, and to protect first responders, medical professionals and hospital staff.

Help us to make clear-eyed and educated decisions on our own lifestyles so that we, too, would be careful yet not fall prey to overreaction.

Please, dear Lord, hold our country in the palm of Your hand. May the peace you offer be a balm that we seek.
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Gary Bauer  is a contributing author who is married to Carol Bauer who shared this February Capitol Prayer Alert.

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