Donald Trump has ascended to the presidency of the United States, his second non-consecutive term. Whether we agree with his policies or not, it is our job to pray for him as the Bible requires us to pray for those in authority.
First Timothy 2:1–4, says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”.
It is our job to pray for his protection and that of his family. It is our job to ask God to help him to rule in righteousness, and that he achieves good success that redounds to the benefit of the people. It is for us to pray that God gives him a servant’s heart to serve others with humanity and a sacrificial spirit.
However, praying for those in authority, does not mean we blind our eyes to their flaws or accept injustice or unrighteous. It does not mean that God will not address sin in their lives or how they steward their leadership role.
Controversy broke out recently in prophetic circles, because Scottish Prophet Emma Stark gave an unfavourable prophetic word about Donald Trump, who is revered by the American prophetic community as the anointed of God.
In the 2020 Elections, the prophets were so certain that Trump would win that Election, that they prophesied with persistence, passion and presumption. Their prophesies, offered without proper context and temperance, helped to elevate President 45 in the eyes of the people and advanced a view that being chosen by God made one above reproach. Their prophesies have given some political leaders a blank cheque to treat others poorly while they themselves, families and cronies are worshipped. God can choose someone, but not necessarily approve them, or approve of everything they do.
Undoubtedly, God has placed Donald Trump in office to uproot somethings and bring certain prophetic milestones to pass. However, many prophetic voices deified Trump, promoted violence and stoked rebellion against governmental authority. Romans 13:1 said. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”
The pronouncement of these prophets helped to form the rallying cry for the January 6 Capitol riots. Prophets and leaders played a key role in radicalising Christian congregations into a mindset, and transforming them into political evangelists.
So, on Election Day 2024, when Prophet Emma Stark revealed a vision of God dealing harshly with Donald Trump, the prophetic community in America went postal. The Prophetic Council (a group of senior American Prophets) met, and denounced Emma Stark’s prophesy as false on a number of grounds. Others online went as far as calling her a false prophet. In other words, they were very offended.
One of the grounds on which they objected was that Emma Stark did not test the word she received with anyone outside her circle. They also pointed to the harshness of the word, stating that her words could actually insight violence. Now, regarding the former objection, I am pressed to find anywhere in the Bible where God sent a prophet to give a word to a King or leader, and he checked with another prophet before he or she carried out God’s commandment. The Bible does command that other prophets test the word of another prophet, but after it is given, not before. First Corinthians 14:29 says, “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.”
The only time that happened was in the book of Samuel, because Samuel was a child and had not yet become acquainted with the voice of God. Emma Stark made reference to this in a recent programme. Other than that, I am not seeing any precedence in the Bible of a Prophet checking with another before he gives a word.
Nathan strolled straight into King David’s Palace to tell him of the Lord’s judgment regarding his sin with Bathsheba. After telling him a parable about a man who cheated a poor man, evoking David’s outrage, Nathan declared, “You are the man!”
Elijah did not spare Ahab and Jezebel’s feelings when he called for a drought. He took on the prophets of Baal and annihilated them, evoking the wrath of Jezebel. There is a wrong notion that modern day prophets are supposed to only exhort and encourage, telling people how great they are and how wonderful their lives will be. But I believe that prophets also exist to speak truth to power and bring correction to set a nation back on course. Micaiah (1 Kings 22) was thrown in prison for contradiction all the other prophets tickling the ear of King Ahab.
Many of the persons who objected to Emma Stark words, are also prophets I greatly admire. In many ways, they have served God faithfully and stewarded their gift well. Some, however, have weaponised prophesy to control the masses and lead them along partisan political lines into full blown political idolatry.
Admittedly, the Council has been meeting for about 30 years. In instances such as this, it is very easy for people to become part of a prophetic echo chamber, where they are all saying the same thing and regurgitating the same thoughts and beliefs. They came out swinging at Emma Stark, denouncing her word as false. To them God would not give such a harsh word for a man they revere and it did not align with their word.
But the echo chamber got it wrong in 2020, when all were saying that Donald Trump would be elected to serve two consecutive terms. They heard two terms and they took it to mean that it could be back-to-back. No one thought differently. They reinforced each other’s prophecies and justified their views.
After Trump lost in 2020, the prophets stuck to their guns, sowing bitterness into their own hearts, the heart of the 45th President and the heart of his supporters. So firm were they in their belief that the 2020 Elections were stolen, and so vociferous were their actions that they helped to create strongholds in the heart of the people and deepened the hate and divisions in the society. There were prophets calling for rebellion, and themselves disrespecting the elected 2020 President, Joe Biden. Some called for violence and openly prayed that God would strike people of the opposing side dead so that their party of choice could get more seats in congress.
After January 6, some supported the rioters, blamed other groups and pretended like it never happened. Others were even among the rioters. Some are now justifying a pardon of the rioters. From the prophetic echo chamber…deafening silence on these issues. But for them, Emma Stark should be silenced, because she has not fallen in line, singing the same tune and dancing to the same beat as them.
When we worship a leader, it is difficult to correct him or her. As people ordained by God, we should ensure our loyalty belongs only to God. If and when political leadership starts to veer off course, prophetic voices should be courageous enough to speak truth to power.
Will they speak words of righteousness, justice and correction to the new administration or is that stance just reserved for leaders with whom they disagree politically? Will they offer the new president the Christian principles of not taking revenge on your enemies and holding your friends to account? Will they be the voice of reason and the voice of God to him or will they be the voices singing his praises and cheering even if his ways conflict with the purposes and principles of God?