We should pray fervently for leaders who will fear and seek the Lord, and fight for the rights of the unborn. But if an ungodly or pro-abortion president is elected, we shouldn’t fear. We should continue to pray earnestly for our country and those in authority. Don’t panic, God is in control, and he uses even wicked leaders for his own purposes. He can turn the hearts of leaders any way he chooses

I’m praying for a godly President.

One who will fight for the unborn. One who will seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. But what if an ungodly person is elected to lead our country?

Leaders who are immoral or ungodly can have a detrimental effect on a nation. Presidents appoint judges, promote policies and sign or veto bills. We should pray fervently that God will give us a Christian President and leaders. But what if we get an ungodly President?

Let’s not forget who sustains and directs the destinies of nations:

For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations (PS 22.28).

This country has had many Presidents who were immoral, but God in his mercy has continued to sustain us for the sake of his purposes and people. Charles Dunn, known as one of the foremost scholars in the field of American politics and religion wrote The Scarlet Thread of Scandal: Morality and the American Presidency in 2000. Stephen Goode reports: “Dunn ranks Clinton as America’s most immoral president, immediately followed by Warren G. Harding, Lyndon B. Johnson and then Nixon (‘not because he was personally immoral, but because of the blatant Watergate cover-up and lying’). John F. Kennedy ranks fifth on this list of the immoral.” –Insight on the News

In my lifetime alone, 4 of the 5 most immoral presidents occupied the Oval Office (Clinton, Johnson, Nixon and Kennedy). No, I wasn’t alive in Harding’s presidency, despite what my kids say. Somehow, despite some of the immoral men who have led the United States in my lifetime, God has sustained us.

We should pray fervently for leaders who will fear and seek the Lord, and fight for the rights of the unborn. But if an ungodly or pro-abortion president is elected, we shouldn’t fear. We should continue to pray earnestly for our country and those in authority. Don’t panic, God is in control, and he uses even wicked leaders for his own purposes. He can turn the hearts of leaders any way he chooses:

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will (PR 21:1).

Let’s pray and vote for righteous leaders. But if an ungodly person is elected let us trust the One who rules the nations.

Mark Altrogge has been the senior pastor of Saving Grace Church of Indiana, PA for over 25 years, and is the author of many well-known worship songs such as “I Stand In Awe”, and “In The Presence”. This article first appeared on his blog and is used with permission.