Tag: obligations

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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I’m Too Busy!

Father, I’m too busy today.
I have filled my life with too many urgencies
And obligations.
I can’t take the time to quiet my soul
And just meditate on You.

I have a checkup appointment with the doctor this morning.
(Thank you for my health and wellness, and
Give the doctor insight and wisdom to see
What I need to do to stay healthy.)

And then, I have a busy day at work,
To make up for the time off…
(Thank you, Father, for employment!)
(Thank you for time off!)
(Thank you for travel mercies.)

Tonight, I have to catch up on all the housework…
(Thank you for a home, and clothing, and dishes, and furniture…)
(Thank you for family to share it all with!)
And I promised our neighbor I’d check on their cat while they are on vacation.
(Thank you for good neighbors, and the opportunity to serve them.)

Lord, forgive me… I’m just too busy to pray today.
(Father, thank you for a busy life– a life with purpose and activity.
Thank you for your Presence throughout the day!)

Father, thank you for the truth–
I am NOT too busy to give you praise
I am NEVER too busy to turn my thoughts and my heart
to YOU, even on this busy day!

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The Longest Day

Today is the Summer Solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the “longest day” of the year. However, today will have exactly the same number of minutes and hours as any other day. The difference is the amount of sunlight/daylight hours, as opposed to hours of night/darkness. And even this varies by where we live in relation to the equator. Those who live close to the equator will see little difference today– those near the North Pole will not see the sun dip below the horizon at all.

In some ways, today is NOT the longest day of my year. One of the longest days for me so far this year was the day my mother died. Even though it was February, when the days are “short,” that day was filled with questions, emotions, and obligations. Time seemed to stand still for a while, as we took in the reality that she had left us to go Home, and then time seemed to expend for all the aftermath of death. Who needed to be called and contacted? What would we need to do in the coming days and weeks to plan a funeral, notify authorities, pay bills and close accounts, etc.? How would we notify family and friends without “missing” someone? Each tick of the clock seemed to bring new thoughts and emotions.

I was thinking about time recently. We are still busy cleaning up Mom’s house and settling her estate. Days seem to pass quickly now, as we have deadlines, and much work to keep us busy. I’m glad for the extended daylight hours, but I’m also tired! Most days– even longer days!– I feel like I’m falling behind. And I find many hours are “wasted” on unimportant things; inconsequential things. Will I spend my time today any differently or more efficiently than any of the “shorter” days to come?

The Bible says a lot about time. (https://www.openbible.info/topics/time) We are creatures bound by time. We have a beginning and an end; we have a limited life span. And we do not know those limits. We cannot break the bonds of time to live longer lives, or to live our lives in the distant past or future. That is the “stuff” of science fiction and daydreams. We cannot bargain for more time, whether we are thirty and diagnosed with cancer or ALS or another terminal illness, or we are ninety-two and long to reach our centennial birthday. Even our individual days are dictated by the march of time. We cannot live our days backward. We cannot stop the clock or stretch out a certain hour over any other. Instead, we must make the most of every minute; every day that we are given.

But we were not created just for one short lifespan. Our bodies will wear out and die, but our spirits were created for eternity. There will be no “longest” or “shortest” days in Heaven or Hell. There will be no sunsets, no endings or “do-overs”, no deadlines. For the Christian, this is a great comfort. My Mom has said her last “Goodbye.” She never has to worry about deadlines, unfinished tasks, or “putting off until tomorrow..” My grieving is over a temporary loss; a brief “au revoir”, rather than a gaping chasm of eternal separation.

But there will be a very different “longest day” for those who do not choose Christ in this life. And that day will be one of endless darkness, endless despair. There will be no sunrise, no rest, no refreshment or renewal, no “tomorrow.” Today, I pray that we would “number our days” in this life (Psalm 90:12), and put them to good use. I pray that I would reflect God’s love to those who are living in the shadow of that endless darkness. I pray that the Holy Spirit might shine a light (through me and through others) that would draw people to Him.

There will be many hours of light today, but the days will grow shorter. The seasons remind us that time on Earth is fickle and fleeting. May we live wisely in this “longest” day of the year!

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