Tag: James 1:5

Prayer and Politics

Tomorrow is Mid-term Election Day in the U.S. Millions of people have already taken advantage of “early voting.” Millions of others will go to their local polling station to vote tomorrow. Sadly, many other millions of eligible voters will stay home, believing that their vote doesn’t matter. And a few people will “cheat” at the polls– they are not eligible to vote, or they will vote using someone else’s name, or they will vote in two different districts. If they are not caught, their votes could determine a couple of close elections and change the course of government in their state or even across the country.

I pray that we have fair and “clean” elections tomorrow. I pray that voters will make wise choices based on solid principles and not just fear or greed or superficial impressions of the candidates. But in the end, my hope cannot be built on the outcome of this (or any other) election. I cannot place my hope in a single candidate or in any political party. I cannot even place my hope in a platform or set of campaign statements on moral issues. So how can a Christian pray (and act) when it comes to elections? I don’t think there is a single “right” or “wrong” way of casting a ballot, but I think the Bible sets up a few general guidelines that we should consider when it comes to government, whether local, regional, or national.

  • Always seek God’s counsel and wisdom! Pray that God will help you discern more than just talking points, polls, and “feel-good” statements by candidates or parties. (see Proverbs 3:5 and James 1:5)
  • Christians are to be neither ignorant nor indifferent to politics– we are to obey the authorities and laws that already exist, and to do our civic duties, including voting. (see Romans 13:1 and 1 Peter 2:13-14)
  • We should pray for all who are in authority– pray for their safety, for them to make wise choices, and for them to come to or continue in Faith. We should serve faithfully “as unto the Lord” (see Colossians 3:23-24) We should not pray against people, but against the forces of evil and Sin that cause people to behave in corrupt and destructive ways. (Ephesians 6:12) We should show respect for leaders and candidates, even for those with whom we disagree.
  • We should pray to stand firm in our knowledge and pursuit of the truth. Even though we pray for our enemies, we should not compromise or accept false beliefs.
  • God is not a Republican or a Democrat, a Socialist, a Libertarian, or any other political adherent. He is the KING of KINGS! His rule is absolute, even though He allows for nations and governments to rise and fall. Remember, Daniel served the power-hungry madman, Nebuchadnezzar, and Jesus lived under the Roman occupation without starting a rebellion against the Caesars. Even if our rulers are not Christians, they will one day bow the knee and confess that Jesus is LORD.
  • Our true citizenship is in Heaven, and we must be faithful to Our King and Lord above all. Even if a fellow Christian is supporting a candidate or a cause you don’t like, you are not responsible for their choices. And they are not responsible for yours. But each of you will answer to God on the day of judgment for every choice, including the choice to vote (or not). Christians may agree on outcomes but disagree on how to achieve them. That said, you should be able to discuss and even disagree without hatred, bitterness, or condescension. And don’t let yourself be pressured by other people, even neighbors, family members, pastors, and other people you respect. God is gracious and compassionate. If we (or others) make a “wrong” choice along the way, God can still redeem our choices and bring good out of seemingly lost causes.
  • Elections have consequences, and it can be frightening to face the negative consequences of an election. It can also be frustrating, even when the outcome seems “good,” to wait for justice and change that we voted for. Pray that God would send peace, confidence, and joy, and that He would keep us from pride, despair, or anger in the aftermath of an election cycle.

Prayer is essential in our everyday life, and it our decision-making– whether deciding what to buy, where to worship, when to speak, or how to vote. Pray before you go to the polls, pray before you enter the booth, pray on your way home, and pray as the results come in.

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“Seasoning” Prayer

I plant an herb garden every year. This year, it’s been cold, so I started the plants indoors. Recently, my husband finally transplanted our starts into bigger pots, where they will grow through the summer and into the fall. I harvest the herbs for salads and other dishes, but I also dry the herbs for use throughout the winter. The herbs add flavor and texture to our food, and I love having fresh ones available. I was thinking about various herbs and their symbolism. What we plant in our garden; what we use in our cooking; how we “season” our prayer life– it all makes a difference. So here are some tips for “seasoning” our prayers…Make sure to add:

  • Rosemary– for remembrance. Remember and worship God for who He is. Remember His past goodness. Remember His faithfulness. Remember His Great Love. Remember that He sees and hears you; He knows you intimately, and loves you eternally. (Psalm 103:2)
  • Sage– for wisdom. Ask for it. God longs to give you stores of wisdom and guidance. He longs for you to seek His wisdom every day. (James 1:5)
  • Fennel– for praiseworthiness. God is worthy of all our praise and worship. Prayer is just one way of expressing His worthiness and glory! (Psalm 150:6)
  • Mustard seed– for faith. Faith grows exponentially larger and stronger when it is tended. One seed of faith can produce a large plant, which in turn produced hundreds of new seeds. Don’t let the weight of doubt crush that little seed–it really is enough! Not because of the size of your faith, but because of the size of the One in whom it rests. (Hebrews 11)
  • Horseradish/radishes– for bitterness and contrition. A Holy God can only be approached by those whose sins have been forgiven. God offers mercy and grace in abundance– for those who acknowledge their sin and wish to be restored in Grace. Confession and repentance should be a regular part of our prayer life… and this leads to..
  • Hyssop– for cleansing. King David prayed: “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow…Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51: 7, 10) May we seek to have a pure heart and a steadfast spirit. And as we are cleansed, we will have…
  • Parsley– for gratitude and joy. Parsley brightens and garnishes; it brings a finishing touch and its bright green color suggests growth and abundance. Prayer should result in thankfulness and rejoicing as we enter into the very presence of the Giver of All Life. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
  • Thyme–for, well, time. Take time every day to meet with God. Make both “quality time” and “quantity time” when you can, knowing that God wants to be part of your day, all day, every day.
  • Chives– for usefulness and peace. Chives add flavor and balance when used in cooking. Bring your daily tasks, your goals, even your everyday worries to God in prayer. Pray as you work, as you run, as you do useful things throughout the day. This will lead to peace and purpose.
  • Garlic– for strength and healing. Especially in times when people are experiencing sickness and confusion, prayer brings strength. As we pray for healing– physical, emotional, and spiritual– we cast our cares upon a Loving and Omnipotent God.

For some more interesting symbolic meanings of herbs and flowers, you can visit the following sites:
https://theherbalacademy.com/the-secret-meaning-of-herbs/
https://www.richters.com/show.cgi?page=InfoSheets/d9003.html
and many others.

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Spiritual Understanding

5-9 So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

2 Peter 1:5-9 (The Message– emphasis added)
Photo by Tobias Bju00f8rkli on Pexels.com

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
9 “For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (Christian Standard Bible)

I do not understand God’s ways. If I try to work it out with human understanding, I will never make sense of how God works. I don’t have His wisdom or omniscience; I don’t have His eternal perspective or omnipotence. God will never answer all of my questions; He will never reveal all of His plans or reasoning to me. He calls me to walk in Faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) This is a stumbling block to many. It is especially frustrating for those who think they already DO know (almost) everything, and believe that they should be able to speak to God as a peer, even to be able to consult Him! I knew of a man (a convicted felon) who refused to repent of his actions. He admitted that he had done wrong, and that his prison sentence was deserved, but when challenged with how he would answer before God, he simply said–“God and I will come to an understanding.” He simply felt that if he explained “his side of the story,” God would change his immutable commandments and make an exception.

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God doesn’t need anyone to “explain” anything to Him. Nor does He “owe” any of His creation an explanation for His actions or seeming inactions. I will never understand why certain injustices are allowed to happen, and seem to go unpunished in my lifetime. I don’t understand God’s timing in my life– why my father died when he did, or why I had to wait so long to be married. But I am learning to trust that God knows every injustice, every need, every situation we face, and that He WILL make all things “right” in HIS time and in His perfect way.

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Spiritual Understanding has to come from the Spirit. It cannot come through our own wisdom or learning. It has to be built, not just on Faith, but on acting in Faith and walking humbly in conformity to our Good Shepherd’s example. We must become, not just “fans” of Christ, or even just students of Christ, but disciples of Christ, if we want to begin to have greater understanding. Like the apprentice, who must learn by doing, so we must learn through practice of God’s Word. We must also ASK for wisdom and understanding. (James 1:5) They are gifts, just like Salvation. We don’t earn understanding; we are granted it as we walk in obedience and faith.

Photo by Keenan Constance on Pexels.com

Today, my prayer is that I would receive insight as I learn to trust, and I would trust that God will give the wisdom I need for the day ahead– no more or less, and not a moment too late or too soon. And experience confirms that He is faithful to do just that!

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