Until last summer I could edit World in semi-ignorance; managing editor Nick Eicher edited our Mailbag page, and I generally saw only the letters that appeared in print. Last summer, however, my wife Susan took over that task, which means all the mail-electronic, fax, and traditional-makes it to our home.

Letter to the editor: "I just read your article entitled 'Pray for the President' in the February 21st issue of WORLD.... If I do mention Bill Clinton in prayer, it's likely to be a 'request' that he'll get a conviction and be removed from office. But what if Christians all across the country-all across the world-prayed for the conviction of the heart and soul of Bill Clinton? What if God answered that prayer with a yes...."

-Crin Pullins, Bloomington, Ind.

Dear Mrs. Pullins,

Here's a column inspired by your letter:

Two famous deaths around 2,000 years ago occurred during this March-April time of year. On March 15 (the Ides of March) in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was assassinated. In about 30 A.D. Jesus Christ was crucified on a day now remembered as Good Friday.

Democrats used to celebrate annually the March 15, 1767, birthday of their party's founder, Andrew Jackson. That custom largely has disappeared, perhaps because (as the great song goes) we don't know much about history-or maybe because some leaders of the current Democratic party know too much about the Jackson presidency.

Not surprisingly, liberal and conservative journalists are now presenting not only opposing spins on Washington intrigue-who's to blame for our current mess, Bill Clinton or Ken Starr?-but dueling polls.

One month ago, it seemed that Bill Clinton's presidency might end rapidly. Then came his public relations counterattack and good poll results. Prosperity at home and peace abroad seemed to cover a multitude of sins.

The Bible instructs us to pray for those in authority over us, including people like the president of the United States. Often we do this almost by rote, praying for God to provide health and strength and particularly wisdom. But, just as we should pray about the specific needs of those we know, so we should pray about the particular needs of those at the top, as best we know them.