Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(Romans 12:12 NIV)
Sunday our pastor preached a “Election Day Sermon,” in the vein of Jonathan Edwards’s”Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” God has given our pastor a gifting and anointing to bring Kingdom principles to ungodly places, including the political system, so we regularly hear sermons that include politics. I, personally, am SO oversaturated with everything political (most of which I don’t even like) that I was struggling to listen to yet another sermon about how important it is to vote. Then God reminded me that the sermon might just not have been for me.
After the worship service I was visiting with a woman who is new to our small group, but I barely know. We were talking about her work and her daughter, and then I asked her what she thought of the sermon. She replied that she doesn’t really follow politics, but she had learned a lot and had a lot to think about. I didn’t ask if she was planning to vote; that’s between her and God. I trust that the seeds planted within her will be tended by the Holy Spirit and bring fruit as God intends. But, hopefully, if she does vote, she heard the call to choose candidates who honor the values of Jesus’s Kingdom.
It’s not too late to pray for those who are disconnected with the election season to “follow politics” enough to pray and vote accordingly. It’s not too late to praise God that Election Day 2024 has arrived, and with a mixture of relief, excitement, and dread we finish voting today. It’s not untrue to say that this year and this election cycle has been beyond anything we could have imagined. It is accurate to say that this nation is emotionally, socially, and spiritually exhausted from the continued traumas of this decade and the vitriol of a very divided electorate. It is good to proclaim that God has been faithful to his children through it all.
It is always the right time to pray for God’s mercy on the voting process, our communities, and our nation.
So, God, we cry out for your mercy to be upon us.
Lord, in your mercy, may the conclusion of the voting and the vote tallying be free of bullying, intimidation, illegal votes, corruption, and fraud. May every legal voter who desires to vote have no obstacles to get there – health issues, transportation problems, traffic issues, or any sort of human intimidation.
Lord, in your mercy, may your people who have prayed and checked their ballot against your Word turn out and vote. May you cause believers of all ages, races, and denominations/church types to vote in ways that honor your Word and further your Kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy and because of the move of your Spirit in that process, we pray that men and women who are after your own heart would be voted into office. May those who have sought office be people seeking to live in righteousness with you, and to serve their constituents and nation in humility.
Lord, in your mercy we pray in Jesus’s name that you would stop any spirit of chaos that seeks to cause confusion, mayhem, violence, or personal or property damage because of this election. We know that lawlessness and chaos is not who you are, so we bind any spirits of chaos and violence and instead pray your Shalom Peace over this nation.
Lord, in your mercy, we ask that these electoral races will be accurately and conclusively decided within 48 hours, and that in the days, weeks, and months to come our nation can heal from the trauma and division of this decade. May your grace be upon each of us as we interact with our fellow citizens, irrespective of political ideals.
Lord, in your mercy, reform your Church, send your fires of revival, and let a Great Awakening be unleashed on this nation. And may each individual of your Church be a beacon of light in this dark world, showing, grace, mercy, kindness, graciousness, gentleness, love, and peace to all those they encounter.
Lord in your mercy, and for the glory of Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen.
God is not a God of disorder but a God of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33 GW)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. (Joshua 23:14 NIV)
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” – Jesus (Matthew 18:18 NIV)
When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. (2 Chronicles 7:13-16 NIV)
[Adapted from November 3, 2020 post.]