Donald Trump has won the 2024 US election to be the subsequent president of the United States of America. It is prone to be one of the crucial consequential moments in international politics for years to return.
His re-election may even fire up emotional responses everywhere in the world, particularly amongst Christians. Christians have been a few of his harshest critics and most vocal supporters. This is the case for each public figures and bizarre believers. My phone was buzzing the morning of the result with people expressing joy and despair.
The Washington Post has suggested that over 80% of white evangelical voters supported Trump in 2024, in addition to a majority of Catholic voters. Yet groups like Evangelicals for Harris opposed Trump as a consequence of his response to the January 6 Capitol riots and concerns about his moral character.
Regardless of our political leanings I think Christians should respond the identical technique to this election result.
1. Trust the Lord
Christ continues to be King. Jesus still reigns. Whether you think that this result’s one of the best thing for America and the world or a complete disaster, God was on the throne before and He still rules. We can trust that his plan will still work out. If you think that that Donald Trump is unfit for office and can make the world a worse place, take heart, Jesus has overcome the world. If you suspect that Trump will improve people’s lives and society, remember, Trump will not be the Messiah, Christ is. Jesus will make all the pieces recent, not Donald Trump.
2. Pray for Trump
You want Donald Trump’s second term to go well. You want him to be a successful president. You want American society to enhance, the economy to grow and folks’s lives to recuperate. You want him to act properly on the international stage. To want anything could be silly.
It doesn’t matter in case you think he will likely be a superb president the second time around, our desire ought to be that he’s; that America is a spot where people live lives that profit each other and glorify God. So, pray for Trump. Pray that God gives him wisdom, courage and discernment. Pray that he governs with mercy and justice and makes decisions that actually help people.
Trump is a person in need of God like several other. Christ loves us to like all people, friend or enemy. So, pray for him. I used to be struck by Russell Moore’s June article in Christianity Today where he called upon evangelicals to like Trump more. To really love him, which will not be the identical thing as supporting his policies. Moore isn’t any supporter of Trump, but he recognises this key fact: God loves Donald Trump because he loves sinners in need of repentance. Do we?
3. Proclaim accountability
God created governments. But in a fallen world governments can turn out to be broken and might really hurt people. God gives rulers real authority. But they don’t at all times live as much as the authority which they’ve been given. We must not turn out to be so blind that we will never challenge our own political side after they fail to reflect a facet of God’s vision for human flourishing.
Trump has real authority. Christians have an actual responsibility to carry him accountable to the God who has allowed him to have it. There are members of Trump’s base who show him unquestioning loyalty. They should be willing to challenge him when it’s required. So, rejoice when good is finished by the subsequent president and object when he and his policies turn away from God’s character. Present a Christian vision for society where we live closer to God’s good design.
Alex Smith recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a first-class degree in ancient history. He is an element of the team at Christiansinpolitics.org.uk and is excited about helping Christians think through political and cultural engagement well.