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 1 Timothy 2:1-3

 

I am truly thankful for the freedom and peace we enjoy in the United States yet I often find myself in conflict over the issues surrounding our current political process. I face struggles to reconcile my faith with the differing political ideas within my own family and church.

First, the Bible gives us no example of democracy anywhere within its 4,000 plus year history. Joseph would be scratching his head if you asked him which  party he thought would give  them the best nominee for Pharaoh. Daniel similarly would have had no advice as to who he was voting for, for the next king of Persia. In New Testament times we find that John the Baptist was more concerned about Herod’s choice of wife than about taxes. The Apostle Paul’s appearance before Caesar in a highly political and grossly unfair trial drew no complaints about the corruption of the government or its forays into wars of conquest. But in spite of the absence of direct advice on voting, we can find a common theme that each of these men gave us in dealing with the ruling authorities of their day. The principles which they each maintained were a personal faith,  an unwavering trust in God as the sovereign authority over every king, and a personal responsibility to pray. Today let’s examine the last – Our personal responsibility to pray

Daniel we are told not only prayed three times daily for his nation but he did it so consistently that it became general public knowledge. Paul tells us we ought to pray without ceasing and John the Baptist was known for having taught his disciples to pray.

Can we take a little test to see how we are doing?

Can we remember the last time you prayed for our president and his family?

Have we ever prayed for the leaders of nations we consider our enemies?

Can we point to prayer time we have devoted to one of the hot button issues of this election?

If Jesus came to live in my neighborhood what would be his most urgent prayer?

I would love to hear what your prayers have been or would be. Please feel welcome to react and tell us what you think!

We can do nothing until we have prayed but when we pray it will be impossible for us do nothing!