What to do after the election.
Today we will know the answer. We’ll assume by the
outcome of the election that our country will take one road or another. Or the
road might not seem too different at all from the one we’re on now. In my
sliver of America, the Christian community, we have voiced opinions and
attended rallies. We have spoken, written, posted and tweeted. In some
instances, we’ve argued. And without a doubt, we have prayed, for we consider prayer
our greatest hope.
outcome of the election that our country will take one road or another. Or the
road might not seem too different at all from the one we’re on now. In my
sliver of America, the Christian community, we have voiced opinions and
attended rallies. We have spoken, written, posted and tweeted. In some
instances, we’ve argued. And without a doubt, we have prayed, for we consider prayer
our greatest hope.
What exactly have we been praying? It seems the consensus is to pray that the lesser of two evils will win this election. Perhaps that should be our
prayer, but rulers are appointed by God to achieve a purpose. Whether they are less
evil or more evil may be nothing more than God’s determination on timing. Will
the America we know become less recognizable now, or later?
prayer, but rulers are appointed by God to achieve a purpose. Whether they are less
evil or more evil may be nothing more than God’s determination on timing. Will
the America we know become less recognizable now, or later?
After the ballots are counted and the candidates have fussed
and strutted, then what will we pray? No more public outcry about this
candidate or that one will be required. Perhaps a humbler application is what
we’ll need. It’ll be time to go into our rooms, if we haven’t already. Time to
kneel in the closet.
and strutted, then what will we pray? No more public outcry about this
candidate or that one will be required. Perhaps a humbler application is what
we’ll need. It’ll be time to go into our rooms, if we haven’t already. Time to
kneel in the closet.
But
when you pray, go into your room
and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret
will reward you. Matthew
6:6
when you pray, go into your room
and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret
will reward you. Matthew
6:6
What will we pray for in the secret place? A defensive measure
might be that public prayer is not outlawed. The trend of the law is to quiet
our voices. But no one can stop us from praying in the secret place. Here’s how
we must pray after the election when we think it’s all over, because won’t be
over at all.
might be that public prayer is not outlawed. The trend of the law is to quiet
our voices. But no one can stop us from praying in the secret place. Here’s how
we must pray after the election when we think it’s all over, because won’t be
over at all.
“I urge, then, first of all, that
petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for
kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in
all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants
all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” I Timothy 2:1-4
petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for
kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in
all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants
all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” I Timothy 2:1-4
When you pray, remembering to be thankful—don’t skip that part—pray
that we may lead a certain type of lifestyle. Peaceful, quiet, godly, holy.
Should we pray for our agenda? Our rights? Sustaining Social Security? Keeping
our churches tax exempt? Appointing the right justices? Securing our borders? Avoiding
WWIII? All good prayers, but the motivation behind our prayers should be
primarily to extend and prolong the call of the Gospel in this world. For the
nations—for our nation. Even for the
sake of our national leaders.
that we may lead a certain type of lifestyle. Peaceful, quiet, godly, holy.
Should we pray for our agenda? Our rights? Sustaining Social Security? Keeping
our churches tax exempt? Appointing the right justices? Securing our borders? Avoiding
WWIII? All good prayers, but the motivation behind our prayers should be
primarily to extend and prolong the call of the Gospel in this world. For the
nations—for our nation. Even for the
sake of our national leaders.
So next week, whether you feel like you’ve won or lost, go into your
room and shut the door. Pray for the newly elected. For our country. Pray that
we in the Christian community might live as God leads us. For this is good and pleasing
to God, who desires all people to be saved. The ones across party lines. The
ones with ungodly political motives. The ones who celebrate evil’s rule as if
it were good. Pray that while the time remains, the message of God’s truth will
reach them. All of them.
room and shut the door. Pray for the newly elected. For our country. Pray that
we in the Christian community might live as God leads us. For this is good and pleasing
to God, who desires all people to be saved. The ones across party lines. The
ones with ungodly political motives. The ones who celebrate evil’s rule as if
it were good. Pray that while the time remains, the message of God’s truth will
reach them. All of them.
And then go be a peaceful, quiet, godly, holy, unrelenting force
in revealing God’s answer to your prayer. Hope doesn’t quit. People still need
to hear the Gospel. And God is not done.
in revealing God’s answer to your prayer. Hope doesn’t quit. People still need
to hear the Gospel. And God is not done.
