By Dr. Thurman R. Hayes Jr.

Yesterday our nation witnessed the inauguration of a new president. As President Trump begins to lead, let him do so with the prayers of God’s people.

The Bible commands us to “pray for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:2). Furthermore, Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hands of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.”

So pray for God to lead our new leader.

Leadership matters. For the past eight years, we had an administration that refused to even use the term “Islamic terror,” while Islamic terrorists multiplied and murdered.

Simultaneously, while refusing to wage an all-out war against Islamic terror, or even call it what it is, that administration waged an unrelenting war on others.

Internationally, it waged an unrelenting diplomatic war against America’s greatest ally, the nation of Israel. Domestically, it waged an unrelenting war on unborn babies, on biblical morality and on religious liberty.

The world is in crisis. Terrorists now seem to strike almost weekly, in our country and others, committing barbaric atrocities.

Thousands are dying on the streets of American cities like Chicago. Police officers are being gunned down. Opioid addiction is an epidemic.

President Trump inherits a very difficult situation, and he needs our prayers. Many people, including many who voted for him, had concerns about his past and some of his rhetoric during the campaign.

And, because he was new to politics and his party, there was also a concern that he might not govern as a conservative. I had those concerns.

But there are reasons to be encouraged.

First, President Trump is attempting to reach out to all Americans, and bring us together.

Second, he has made many excellent choices for the team members who will surround him. Many of his cabinet members and advisors are men and women of strong faith, who love God and love people. Their track records show they also know how to get good things done.

Third, all indications are that Trump intends to follow through on his promise to appoint judges who will respect the sanctity of life and religious liberty. Moreover, these judges will continue to be a blessing for decades after he leaves office.

Internationally, he has promised to stand strong against terrorism, and he has already stood strong for Israel. Even as president-elect, Trump attempted to intervene and stop a vicious and anti-semitic United Nations resolution that was intended to harm Israel.

Our new president is a flawed person, as we all are. He needs Christ working in his life, as we all do.

So pray for him. Pray for him to reach out for God’s help and guidance. Pray for the people around him, that God will be working in their lives, too.

God uses very flawed people, including people like you and me, to do His will. He can use President Trump, especially if we will be faithful to pray for him.

Let’s also remember that America needs something much more powerful than political change. We need God. We need to repent of our sins and humble ourselves before Him. Whatever our political leaning, we need to love Him and love one another.

We need revival. Let it begin in each one of us.

Dr. Thurman R. Hayes is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Suffolk. Follow him on Twitter at @ThurmanHayesJr.