I don't remember when I've seen a man so out of sorts and at a loss for words as the President was at his Wednesday press conference. He was correct in saying his party had taken a "shellacking" and that he bore a major part of the blame. He was clearly embarrassed and seemed a little confused. He's not usually very articulate when he's away from his teleprompter, but he was particularly reticent and halting this time.

I can imagine what's going through his head. What do we do now? Do I have to abandon all my principles? Am I a good president? Can I become one? Is there worse to come? And doubtless much more.

Like him or not, we need to pray for President Obama. I did not vote for Mr. Obama, but he is my president. He is a steward of the nation's - and more importantly, the Lord's - trust at this time. We are obliged to pray for our leaders, anyway, so if you have not yet begun to pray for the President, this would be a good time. We want him to do a good job, to succeed as God's servant for good, and to make it possible for the nation to live in peace and righteousness. Paul says our prayers are integral to this (1 Tim. 2.1-4).

Pray for him in your morning prayers, your Bible study group, and as often as the Lord puts him on your mind throughout the day. The President, let's remember, claims to be a Christian. We need to give him the benefit of the doubt and hope that the Lord will use this stunning setback to shake his self-confidence and lead him to look to the Lord more earnestly. What could happen, friends, if the President experienced a true awakening of his faith - something on the order of what Nebuchadnezzar knew after his humbling? The impact could be profound.

But even if he doesn't "come to his senses" and lean more consistently on the Lord, he's still our President. He deserves our prayers, even though we may not agree with him.

T. M. Moore