We are quickly approaching the primary season. The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for next week, Jan 15th, followed closely by the New Hampshire primary on Jan 23rd. Between January and June, all 50 states will host primaries and caucuses. During this time, the two major parties will select their respective candidates for the presidential race.
Regardless of how deeply a Christian might or might not feel invested in the political process, Scripture is very clear that the upcoming election should, at least, be a matter of prayer for every believer. The apostle Paul commands Christians to pray for those in leadership when he writes,
- “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
So how should we pray?
1. Pray for God’s mercy on our nation.
Petition that he will not deal with us according to our collective sins but will show us a great grace by giving us leaders better than we deserve.
2. Pray that his will shall be done.
He is our wise sovereign Lord, and his choices are always best for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
3. Pray for wisdom.
We live in a fallen world and in an age in which God’s Kingdom has not fully come. Thus, when it comes time to vote, we are always given less than perfect choices. Since no candidate will check all the boxes that we might want, we have to pray for God’s wisdom as we enter the voting booth.
The one thing we are not allowed to do is simply opt out of the process. To whom much is given, much is required. After all, the very essence of moral responsibility is that the possession of certain powers and capacities comes with the responsibility to steward them well. By God’s grace, we live in a country and at a time in which we all have a voice and a choice. My prayer for all of us is that we believers take the privilege of voting seriously and prayerfully show up at the ballot box. May God be with us as we cast our votes!
No comments have been added.