Prayers for the president

By Pastor Norm Omodt, retired

Chatfield, MN

We have often heard people say, “We need to pray for the President.” Of course we do.  And be specific.  I pray Mr. Trump will become a good president for our country with some good concern for other countries, also.  If they also do well, it’s better for the world.  And I pray that  good people will help Trump feel more secure in himself, so he wouldn’t feel the need to lie and mislead the people so often, and not feel he needs to put down good people to make himself look better!

I have heard from friends in Colombia, Germany and Canada who wonder how could America have elected someone who doesn’t hold dear our values of honesty, compassion and a spirit of welcoming to refugees and immigrants who enrich our country.  It is claimed that 90% of innovations in America come from immigrants and  CHILDREN of immigrants.  Extremely valuable for our future!

Already thousands  in other countries are afraid to come to our universities, who would bring millions of dollars and blessings, as many would remain here in their professions, as in the past. And I pray Trump will cast aside the foolishness of adding to the wall, and stop slashing good government programs that families rely on.

As article in TIME magazine, (April 3) “To the President” by a Muslim American, Olympic medalist, says she is concerned how increasingly many Americans are now provoking fear and hatred towards good Muslim Americans!  Shameful!

So also I pray that Mr. Trump would recognize the great value we have in the good Mexicans (like ca. 98%) who come here only to make a better life primarily for their children.  And they pay billions in taxes, and cannot get any government loans or grants for their children’s university education, nor can they ever receive any Social Security benefits, though they pay into it all their life here.  They take jobs that typical Americans won’t do.  In California, without those workers, the fruit and vegetable economy would go bust!  We have three very fine families in Chatfield.  And there are 14 Mexican workers and their families around Rushford that I have met with, and they are good workers on dairy farms.

I pray that we continue being a nation of compassion for the needy, the suffering refugees, and be a people that welcomes strangers, all according to the will of God.  If not, we will be eroding our greatest values as Americans.  Every week I speak with immigrants in Rochester, and I encourage you to do the same.  Certainly we want them to feel welcome and  adopt our good values!

Our FBI and Homeland Securities do an excellent job of keeping terrorists out.  Refugees go through about two years of screening before they can hope to enter our USA.  So I pray that Trump will gain more maturity, wisdom and a heart-filled caring judgement.

And let us pray for the well-being of all America, that justice and mercy may ring true for all in our land, including the immigrants in our land who serve very important purposes!   LET US CHOOSE TO LOVE AND TO CARE!