Kanye West, hip hop artist and husband of reality TV star Kim Kardashian, has launched a late bid for the US presidency. Yes, really. Yesterday, the 43-year-old held a campaign event in Charleston, South Carolina. Media critics have suggested that the move is a promotional stunt ahead of the release of his new album. However, I’d suggest that any critic worth their salt should see the reality of the situation.

Kanye West is not a well man. Over the last couple of years, it’s become increasingly apparent that he’s struggling with mental illness. Kanye is becoming known for making bizarre and outlandish comments and having emotional outbursts. This was clear at his rally yesterday when he broke down in tears and made the bizarre assertion that renowned African American abolitionist Harriet Tubman failed to help slaves. His comments at the rally were confused and erratic, switching from personal reflections to statements on gun control and abortion. His mental state is a real cause for concern.

Disturbingly, nobody seems willing to help the artist. The American media has little concern for his welfare. In fact, in covering his rally and giving him the oxygen of publicity they’re egging him on. The media circus treats him like a circus act. If his mental state deteriorates and he makes more outlandish comments, all the better for their profit margins. It’s shameful. The media is treating West like a celebrity, not a serious political candidate, and we know how ruthless celebrity journalists can be.

In the last two years, Kanye has made a Christian profession. His last album was in many regards spiritual. But his behaviour of late does beg the question, ‘who is providing spiritual oversight in his life?’ If Kanye is saved, then it is vital that he be part of a faithful church, where pastoral help and guidance can be administered. Is he? If he were part of a good church, he would presumably be counselled not to run for the Presidency – to seek help and find healing. Sadly, it does not appear that he is not finding the help that he needs from other Christians. Perhaps his celebrity status makes him inaccessible.

So what’s the conclusion here? Well, as Christians we can be praying for Kanye West. We should pray that the Lord draws him and speaks to him through his word. It’s clear that Kanye reads the Bible – he’s posted excerpts from scripture on his Twitter page – but is he seeing with spiritual eyes? Pray that he would and that he’d be changed. What a mighty force for the Gospel he could be with his platform, by God’s grace.

We can also pray concerning the US election, which will take place in November this year. The United States is a deeply divided country. Racial tensions still run deep and were highlighted afresh in recent months. America needs a leader that can execute justice and guide the country wisely in the coming years. The US, like the rest of the world, will have to navigate the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. It will have to grapple with economic uncertainty. As a superpower, it wields great power and can be a force for good, or evil. Let’s pray that it’s the former.

Finally, we can give thanks that the church in America is still large and pray for our brothers and sisters there. There are many faithful Christians in the States, and mission organisations have a powerful influence overseas. Let’s pray that God would grow his church in the US and bless the country in years to come. The future is in his hands.