Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 33:12 NIV)
T minus 16 days and counting. Two weeks and two days until the midterm elections.
You probably don’t want to read another post about the midterms. I really don’t want to write it.
But we have to pray about them. Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (NIV):
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.
There’s no wiggle room in “all those in authority;” we must pray whether we like them or not, whether we agree with them or not. And, by extension, we must pray for the elections that will put “all those in authority” into place.
And Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV) says we believers will prosper if the place we live is prospering.
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
God also promises that when his people pray, it changes the nation.
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. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)
If Christians do not vote their Biblical convictions, we can lose the freedom to exercise them.
Pray. Research the candidates, their positions on the issues, their party’s position on the issues. Pray again. Vote.
But, first: pray.
God,
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me; bless Your holy name. You have created the heavens and the earth and have brought Your people near to You. We thank You for the many ways You continue to guide and guard Your people, especially Jesus-followers in these United States. We do not take lightly those who have come before us in the faith or those who came before us to create this nation. And we know that a nation attuned to Your Way, Truth, and Life is a nation that is indeed blessed.
Although some of us are weary of praying for the nation, some of us have never prayed before, and some of us are simply praying to make it through this latest wave of civic chaos, fear, and anger, we come to You today to pray and intercede for the elections taking place on November 3. In addition to elections for offices at the federal level, states are preparing to elect governors, judges, trustees, state legislators, and others. Local governments will elect trustees, commissioners, school board members, treasurers, clerks, law enforcement officials, and others. We pray that, in every race across this nation, You would cause men and women after Your own heart to be elected. In Your hands, may their hearts be like streams of water that You channel toward Your righteous purposes.
But we also pray for Your Church to rise up out of complacency, apathy, frustration, disillusionment, hopelessness, distrust, alienation, and cynicism and to vote.
By Your Spirit, cause every believer to understand their responsibility to help promote justice, righteousness, and peace in this nation through the civic sphere. We know that every vote and policy at every level of government has the capacity to affect individual lives and communities and to make it easier or harder for the Gospel to go forth. Help each Jesus-follower vote for candidates—however imperfect—whose prior voting records, life experiences, and personal character will help bring about Your Kingdom purposes. Give us a desire to influence the world with Your salt and light as we make choices at the ballot box. May every believer help exalt the name of the Lord Jesus Christ through this process.
God, we plead with You: use Your Church’s vote to help heal this land.
We pray in the strong name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.
In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. (Proverbs 21:1 NIV)
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. (Proverbs 14:34 NIV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits…. (Psalm 103:1-2 NKJV)
[Adapted from a Nov. 2, 2012 post.]