Does Power Corrupt?: Some Thoughts on the Hidden Enemy of Pride from the National Prayer Breakfast

By Bunni Pounds

Part of our call within Christians Engaged is to help political activists spiritually navigate through what is sometimes the muck and mire of political activities and how to ever watch over our own hearts and spiritual lives as we engage as salt and light in our culture. To this end - I share my own heart cries concerning my latest trip to DC. I pray it is a blessing to you.

Most of us have heard this quote:

“Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” 

It is from Lord Action, a British historian of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 

I pondered this quote last week as I wandered around the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC.

I was very honored that my Member of Congress had given me his only available ticket.

The annual National Prayer Breakfast is an exclusive gathering of ministers, dignitaries, elected officials and thought leaders gathered together by a group called “The Fellowship.” (Will write later about the pitfalls and things we need to watch for in ecumenical movements, but for now, just know it was a mixed gathering of true believers in the Biblical Jesus and others whose theological views centered a nebulous idea of unity and peace that wasn’t entirely rooted in the Word of God).

If I had to guess, I’d say that the hearts of those gathered were in the right place—honored that they were able to attend, and in awe that they were in the same room as President Donald Trump, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Leader Kevin McCarthy, and were as excited about creating key relationships as I was.

…Recently I have given much thought to the pull of power and the yearnings of the flesh for MORE—more money, more power, and more influence. 

My trip to DC was filled with landmines, as I seek to keep my heart in a place of humility. 

A highlight of the trip was praying for Senator Ted Cruz at the conclusion of breakfast, where he took my hand “by accident” as he was running out the door. 

I was also blessed to meet nationally known ministry leaders Lance Wallnau and Kris Vallotton, who I have followed for years. I pray that our worlds collide in some way in the future. 

I loved sitting with Congressman Rob Whittman of Virginia and Congressman Kevin Hern of Oklahoma—two Members of Congress who I hadn’t known previously. They were both gracious and kind. 

These experiences have prompted me to ask: How do we as Christians get involved with power and not become corrupted by it?

After 15 years of walking alongside people in power, have I been corrupted? 

If I am honest, I would say that I have...somewhat. 

If I say that I am the same young, impressionable mom of 28 who got involved with politics in 2004, I am lying. 

I try to remember that people of influence and elected officials are only human and that they have needs just like me. 

I try to humble myself before the Lord in the place of prayer on a regular basis and remind myself I am nothing without Jesus. 

I have gotten better through the years of identifying the weeds of pride in my own heart and asking God to destroy them, but…

I need to keep the Word of God forever before my eyes and so do you.

If we are going to navigate the halls of Congress, work with integrity in Austin, or run for office and change the world, it is essential that we address the pride in our own hearts. 

As I was alone wandering the halls of the NPB seminars, dinners, and other events, I observed my fellow attendees, who came in from all over the world, swooning and posturing over those who they believed were “important” and the “right” people.

As I witnessed this, I thought: “God, help me...in my own life I need to intensify my own eating of God’s Word.”

There are so many landmines that could take me out. 

The Word of God is the only germicide to keep the plague of pride from contaminating me. 

I can’t rescue myself. The pull of pride is too powerful. 

This is what the Word says to keep our hearts in line with the truth...I am speaking it aloud to my heart and soul.

“The LORD of hosts has purposed it, To bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, To bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.”

Isaiah 23:9 NKJV

“But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.”

Daniel 5:20 NKJV

“But if you will not hear it, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; My eyes will weep bitterly And run down with tears, Because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.”

Jeremiah 13:17 NKJV

“A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.”

Proverbs 29:23 NKJV

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

Romans 12:3 NKJV

“He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.”

Proverbs 28:25 NKJV

PRAYER: Jesus - we need you to help us! Help us deal with our hearts and our pride as we walk in this political realm. God, we don’t want to be corrupted - we want to be influencers and carriers of light. Keep us in your Word and in the place of prayer in this important hour of history, we pray.

Here at Christians Engaged - we are building a company of Christians who will pray, vote, and engage at some level together. We encourage you to start this process by TAKING THE PLEDGE and letting us help you with reminders and tools to vote your conscience.

For those of us who get really involved with political activism - we want to walk together as a company of activists who will help us each other, encourage each other, and hold each other accountable to watch over our hearts in these areas. I delivered a message to a group of activists in Collin County at the beginning of 2020 dealing with these heart struggles. You can watch it here for more encouragement. You can also volunteer with us here.