Tag: polls

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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What If?

As I am writing this, people in my country are voting or preparing to vote in a Presidential election.  Many of them are voting in fear, confusion, or anger, and asking, “What if my candidate/cause/political party doesn’t ‘win’ today?”  “What if I voted for the ‘wrong’ policies or people?”  “What does the future hold?”

These are not uncommon or unrealistic questions, but they are questions that can waste our time and sap our energy in hypothetical posturing.  The writer of Ecclesiastes says:

alone beach calm dawn

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 King James Version (KJV)

11 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. 4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. 

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It is not wrong to wonder about the future, but we cannot be sure that our actions will always produce the results we long for– especially when we have little control over other people’s actions and consequences.  The first two verses of this passage warn us not to “put all of our eggs in one basket”.  As free citizens in a democratic republic, we shouldn’t put our trust in any one political party, platform, or politician.  Nor should we live in a social or political “echo chamber”, listening only to the views and ideas with which we feel most comfortable, or least challenged.  However, we should look at the long-term consequences of proposals and the reasons behind them before we promote change just for the sake of it.

The third verse reminds us that some changes and events are beyond our knowledge or control.  It’s not that our vote “doesn’t make a difference” or that we’re on “the wrong side of history”– it may mean that history has taken a detour surrounding a certain issue.  It may mean that God is allowing for something we have not imagined (as He did in the days of Habakkuk). Get some great “Insight” into the Book of Habakkuk here.

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But there is more wisdom to come in verses 4-6.  Waiting for certainty of outcome, or being distracted by our circumstances or every “wind of change” can lead us to miss the very real opportunities for present action.  God has given us everything we need (see 2 Peter 1:3-5) for godly living and godly decision-making.  That doesn’t mean that our decisions will always reflect popular “wisdom”; it doesn’t even mean that our decisions will be the same as all other fellow believers and followers of Christ.  It DOES mean that we can make our decisions without fear.  God knows us– He understands your heart and mind better than anyone; He knows why people who agree on spiritual matters may not agree on politics.  But more than that, God KNOWS the future!  He knows all the things that we merely guess at.  So we should act in the present with the best information we have, and leave the rest to the God who knows best.

girl wearing blue denim dress shirt

Modern politics relies heavily on conjecture– polls, predictions, pledges, projections, plans, and campaign promises.  But God is still sovereign over all nations, governments, and peoples.  Instead of asking, “What if..” we should be asking of God, “What now?!”   And we need to be ready to listen and obey!  Let’s pray today for the wisdom to listen more, act with confidence, and trust our future to the one who has already seen it!

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