Politics

“The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.” 

(Isaiah 33:22 NIV)

Our first allegiance as Jesus-followers is always to Christ’s Kingdom, but we must also influence the political/governmental world we live in so we can carry out our primary mission to go and make disciples. I am very concerned for the state of our world, our nation, and this state. I know it’s time for “we the people” to make an improvement in the way this nation is running but enacting these positive changes seems overwhelming. Honestly, politics has always felt like something that was impossible to change.

I have voted in all major and most minor elections since I was 18, but in most places I’ve lived my vote seemed to do no good at all, except, perhaps, to register myself as a part of the “opposition party.” I know there are stories of how one vote made a difference in this election or that, but the overall trajectory of our nation in my lifetime has not been toward God-honoring principles. It seems that my one little vote can’t do much good. Instead of reading the news and becoming depressed, though, what can I do – what can you do – to help make changes? Obviously, giving time and resources to godly and worthy candidates, voting, and generally praying for the elections and our counties, states, and nation is good. But it seems like there’s more that we the Church need to do to influence the culture and governments. I invite you to think and pray about how you could be active in this fall’s election.

I don’t have a calling to be on the front lines of political battles and I don’t have time and energy to be a campaign worker. So, this week I decided I would fast for two 24-hour periods a week until the November 8 election. A fast wouldn’t have to be from food, but could abstain from entertainment or social media or something else that consumes your focus. Whatever we fast “from” must be replaced by something – ideally, time spent with God. I know fasting is supposed to be something you do in private and I’m not trying to call attention to myself. Rather, I’m trying to do what I can do. What can you do? Ask God what he wants you to do to help be an influence for his purposes. Then put on “blinders” to everything and everyone else that tries to be noise or distraction (news, social media, friends, etc.) and just focus on doing what God wants you to do.

Pray that you will have focus, perseverance, and courage. Pray that Christ’s Church will come out to vote for people with God’s values – from the top to the bottom of the ticket. Pray that godly people will be elected into office. Pray that all the money being poured into politics will be used to elect God-honoring candidates. Pray that candidates who do not honor God will have their messaging ignored or unheard. Pray that voters who earlier voted for them would be turned off by incumbents’ policies that damage our communities, state, and nation. Pray that candidates that are not aligned with God will be removed from office and retire from public service. Pray for an awakening and turning of hearts to God. Ask God for miracles.

God is not a God of confusion or disorder, so when we rest in him and run with him we will do God-things — GREAT things. This election is an opportunity to have a positive influence in our world so that we can continue to make a positive influence in those around us.

You, O Lord, are exalted, for you dwell on high and fill this earth with your justice and righteousness. You will be the sure foundation for our times because you are our judge, our lawgiver, our king, and the one who saves us.   Today we come to you to intercede for the upcoming elections, for our counties, our states, and our nation. We thank you that our first allegiance is to your Kingdom, but that you call us to influence government, too, so that there may be a civic environment where we can make disciples.  Grant us focus and perseverance, and courage. We pray that godly people will be elected into office. We pray that Christ’s Church will come out to vote for people with your values – from the top to the bottom of the ticket. We pray that all the money being poured into politics will be used to elect candidates whose hearts, spirits, minds, and actions are honoring to you. We pray that candidates who do not honor you will have their messaging ignored or unheard and that they will not be voted into office. We pray that voters who earlier voted for them would be turned off by incumbents’ policies that damage our communities, state, and nation. We pray that candidates that are not aligned with you, especially those who are arrogant, will be removed from office and retire from public service. And we pray for an awakening and turning of hearts to God. We ask for hope, courage, and patience and we ask for miracles, in Jesus’s name. Amen. 

““And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18 AMP)

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'” (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)

“Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
    For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
    but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
So be strong and courageous,
    all you who put your hope in the Lord!” (Psalm 31:23-24 NLT)

“Teach me how to live, O Lord.
    Lead me along the right path…
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
    while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:11, 13-14 NLT)

“The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
    he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.
He will be the sure foundation for your times,
  a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
 the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver,  the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.” (Isaiah 33:5, 6, 22 NIV)

“The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;

    he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.

He will be the sure foundation for your times,

    a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;

    the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver,

     the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.” (Isaiah 33:5, 6, 22 NIV)

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace...” (1 Corinthians 14:33 NLT)