Tony and Cherie rebirthed

Tony and Cherie Blair

The question may be asked: "What do Prime Ministers do in
their spare time?"

The Sunday Telegraph, from Great Britain, 16 December
2001, headlines: "PM, wife in rebirth ritual -– British Prime Minister Tony
Blair and wife Cherie took part in a 'rebirthing ritual' during their
holiday in Mexico.

The Blairs took to the Temazcal, a Mayan steam bath, during
their stay at the up-market Maroma Hotel near Cancun, London's Times reported.

Clad in swimming costumes, they were guided through a ritual
-– including bowing to the four winds as Mayan prayers were read out -–
invited to imagine animals in the steam from the bath and to smear watermelon,
papaya and mud over each other's bodies.

Mr Blair reportedly made a wish for world peace before the
couple was invited to scream out loud to signify the pain of rebirth."
(emphasis added).

From now on, we feel it may be wise not to ask what Prime
Ministers do with their spare time. Not that our God was caught off-guard, for
we read in Psalm 75:6-7: "For promotion cometh neither from the east,
nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth
down one, and setteth up another." It has been said that a nation receives the
leadership it deserves.

The admonition in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 still holds fast, however,
and we recommend that every reader of our Christian paper, prays in sincerity
for those who are leaders in our countries, no matter what they do in their
spare time.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for
kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

It is clear therefore that our prayers are basically for this
reason. That our lives may continue on in a quiet and peaceful manner, with
freedom to worship our God and to continue on honestly before the people of the
world. Secondly, we must pray that our leaders will be saved as they also have
souls and need to come to a knowledge of the truth, whom we know to be our Lord
Jesus Christ. Therefore do not criticise the leaders, but pray for them.