Nuclear Security Summit

Here's another reprint from a past Presidential Prayer Team article, this one on President Obama's Nuclear Security Summit.

Will We Be Safe?
Breaking down the recent Nuclear Security Summit


As Christian intercessors, we look frequently to I Timothy 2:1-2 as our marching orders for continuing and continuous prayer for our President and other leaders. The second phrase in verse two is “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life…”

Yet we also all know that war is neither peaceable nor quiet. What, then, are we as Christians to think of the recent Nuclear Security Summit, particularly the outcomes to which President Obama committed our country? Read more

In a nutshell, our President committed to (1) reduce the circumstances under which the U.S. would launch a nuclear attack (eliminating, for example, retaliation against certain nations for use of chemical or biological weapons); (2) forego development of new nuclear warheads; and (3) move toward reducing the historic nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia.

Let’s take a quick look at each of these outcomes, starting with the last. Reduction of nuclear arsenals has already been successfully undertaken for some time now, without an apparent weakening of the security of either nation. In addition to U.S. and Russia, Mexico and Ukraine have also willingly agreed to reduce their capability to produce warheads.

In regard to point two, President Obama has indicated that other non-nuclear weapons are probably more important and effective in facing the kinds of disturbances we have seen in recent years. Opposing voices would reply that these weapons have only been effective because of the larger threat of nuclear power which stands behind them.

Yet it is point one that has many of the President’s critics most disturbed. By giving various specific scenarios when the United States will or will not utilize nuclear weaponry, critics say that the President has thrown away the advantage of “ambiguity.” To understand this, think of the playground bully who says, “You better give me the ball or else I’ll…” and never finishes the sentence (all the while looking menacingly at you with tightly clenched fists).

For those of us sitting on the sidelines, the questions that quickly rise are “Will we be safe?” and “Will others play fair?” President Obama has wisely stated that the real nuclear threat is not from the signees of the security accord, but from “rogue states” such as North Korea and Iran, and terrorist groups such as Al-Qaida. It would appear to the casual observer (and reader of news reports) that any nation would be wise to retain a nuclear deterrent option against these lawless threats.

The Christian notion of “just war” has been around since the times of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. It is precisely against lawless oppressor nations and bullying terrorists that those who fear God may have to take up arms, in defense of the defenseless. In one simple verse of the Old Testament, Jeremiah 22:3, we can see two of the primary principles of just war. This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. The two principles are: (1) do not allow oppressors to dominate the weak, even to the use of force to deter them; and (2) do not harm innocent onlookers in the process.

The Bible implies that we should not be able to lead “peaceable and quiet lives” knowing that there are others suffering from injustice when we have the power to stop it. In addition, we have a duty to protect those who depend on us directly – our family and neighbors. As Christian intercessors, we ought then to pray that:
• Our nation will always be found on the side of right;
• Our nation will have the self-discipline and wisdom to remain strong enough to protect ourselves and others who come to us for aid;
• Our nation will never use its strength unjustly;
• Our leaders will fear God and seek His wisdom in questions of the use of force to resolve conflicts.

The question still remains: “Will we be safe?” For that answer, we can look to Psalm 20:6-7, and find great comfort…

“Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”