Well, It’s almost here. The madness is almost over (for a little while at least). Tuesday, November 5, 2024 is election day in the United States. That’s the day that those who have chosen to go to their local polling place to complete their ballots and submit them do just that. Many people will have mailed their ballots, voted early at designated places or dropped their ballots into drop boxes. . The counting starts after the polls close on Tuesday November 5th. We will be voting for the President and Vice President, one-third of the Senate, the entire House of Representatives, and countless state and local offices
Maybe you’re discouraged that your vote may not count, your leaders are not listening, or because you’re tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. If you’re feeling hopeless when it comes to the future of your state or this nation, all is not lost. God is still on the throne, and prayer still works. Here are some ways to pray, for your heart, for the heart of others, and for government and its leaders.
Pray that our leaders are obedient to God
You may not like the candidates that win in this election, but God commands that we pray for those in leadership over us.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV [1] I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— [2] for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. [3] This is good, and pleases God our Savior, [4] who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
God is still sovereign over government no matter who is in leadership and whether they are submitting to Him or not. God is still sovereign whether our leaders are believers or non-believers, God still works His purposes through our leaders. So pray for their sensitivity to God’s voice, their ultimate subjection to Him, and their use for God’s purposes.
Pray that you are more dependent on God than on the government or its leaders.
Pray that God through the Holy Spirit changes your perspective. God’s perspective is eternal while ours is temporary, trapped in time and space. Remember that we depend on God not on whomever happens to be in leadership for a specific period. Even with our federal judges who are appointed for life their term ends with death so there is an expiration date. Ultimately, we depend on God, who hears and enacts justice, not the people in leadership. The day we look to our government or elected officials for our quality of life, our comfort, and our security, is the day we’ve forgotten our sovereign God.
Psalms 121:1-8 NIV[1] I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? [2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. [3] He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; [4] indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. [5] The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; [6] the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. [7] The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; [8] the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Look to the Lord, who owns the hills, not to Capitol Hill, and your security will not be shaken.
Psalms 75:6-7 NIV [6] No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. [7] It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
This world will continue to disappoint and discourage but God, Scripture promises, will never disappoint.
Colossians 3:1-4 NIV [1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (emphasis mine)
Pray for your own heart.
When you start to get caught up in the political ads and start to get angry or bitter at certain leaders and candidates it’s time to pray for your own heart. You need to change your perspective and align your focus on the sovereignty of God, not the issues of this world or its leaders.
When you change your perspective, you will realize that God does not judge an entire nation by who He allows into leadership. God is not a national or corporate God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice God deals with each person individually and He is not going to punish every believer in this country because prayer has been taken out of public schools or because most voters weren’t concerned with biblical values and the sanctity of life.
God is not vengeful He is merciful.
Exodus 34:6 NIV And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
When we personally repent of our sin, God credits to us the righteousness of His Son.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Philippians 3:8-9 NIV [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (emphasis mine).
Every Sunday, at my church, we repeat 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 as an affirmation.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 NIV [14] 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. [15] Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
America, as a whole, cannot repent because America is a country, not an individual. But you and I can repent and keep our hearts right before God despite the laws, foolishness, and evil that continue in this country. Don’t feel all is lost because of what the people are doing around you. God sees your heart, so keep it right before Him in humility and repentance.
Pray for God’s covering over those in leadership.
Pray for the committed followers of Jesus Christ who are in political office, or running for office, that they would be strengthened, empowered, and encouraged by the spirit of God to continue standing firm. Ask God to protect them. because when a leader takes a stand for Jesus Christ they are going to be attacked. The enemy, Satan has subtle tactics, and he might seem scary but always remember God and Satan are not equal opposing forces. Jesus Christ has already won. Satan is desperately prowling around but only for a limited time.
Pray for hearts, not issues.
Instead of praying for certain issues to pass, pray for hearts to be convicted and swayed. Instead of praying that a law will be overturned, pray for the hearts of lawmakers, candidates, and the hearts of individual voters.
God doesn’t save issues, and he doesn’t save us based on our issues or our political involvement, or even how we vote. Ask God to examine your heart on all issues so that your values and convictions align with His. And pray for others in the same way, that their hearts, not just their heads, will be engaged when it comes to their values and votes.
God cares far more about individual hearts and lives than issues.
Pray for God’s kingdom to come, not yours.
Jesus said His kingdom was not of this earth. That is not to say that Christians can’t make a difference now through spreading the gospel, through prayer, and through love for one another. Pray for a heart that is sensitive to what God wants to accomplish in your life and in the lives of those around you, and in this world, not just this country. God is much bigger than the issues going on in the U.S. or in your own backyard. Ask God to give you a biblical worldview, and it may change everything you say and do.
.
Maybe you’re discouraged that your vote may not count, your leaders are not listening, or because you’re tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. If you’re feeling hopeless when it comes to the future of your state or this nation, all is not lost. God is still on the throne, and prayer still works. Here are some ways to pray, for your heart, for the heart of others, and for government and its leaders.
Pray that our leaders are obedient to God
You may not like the candidates that win in this election, but God commands that we pray for those in leadership over us.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV [1] I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— [2] for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. [3] This is good, and pleases God our Savior, [4] who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
God is still sovereign over government no matter who is in leadership and whether they are submitting to Him or not. God is still sovereign whether our leaders are believers or non-believers, God still works His purposes through our leaders. So pray for their sensitivity to God’s voice, their ultimate subjection to Him, and their use for God’s purposes.
Pray that you are more dependent on God than on the government or its leaders.
Pray that God through the Holy Spirit changes your perspective. God’s perspective is eternal while ours is temporary, trapped in time and space. Remember that we depend on God not on whomever happens to be in leadership for a specific period. Even with our federal judges who are appointed for life their term ends with death so there is an expiration date. Ultimately, we depend on God, who hears and enacts justice, not the people in leadership. The day we look to our government or elected officials for our quality of life, our comfort, and our security, is the day we’ve forgotten our sovereign God.
Psalms 121:1-8 NIV[1] I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? [2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. [3] He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; [4] indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. [5] The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; [6] the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. [7] The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; [8] the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Look to the Lord, who owns the hills, not to Capitol Hill, and your security will not be shaken.
Psalms 75:6-7 NIV [6] No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. [7] It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
This world will continue to disappoint and discourage but God, Scripture promises, will never disappoint.
Colossians 3:1-4 NIV [1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (emphasis mine)
Pray for your own heart.
When you start to get caught up in the political ads and start to get angry or bitter at certain leaders and candidates it’s time to pray for your own heart. You need to change your perspective and align your focus on the sovereignty of God, not the issues of this world or its leaders.
When you change your perspective, you will realize that God does not judge an entire nation by who He allows into leadership. God is not a national or corporate God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice God deals with each person individually and He is not going to punish every believer in this country because prayer has been taken out of public schools or because most voters weren’t concerned with biblical values and the sanctity of life.
God is not vengeful He is merciful.
Exodus 34:6 NIV And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
When we personally repent of our sin, God credits to us the righteousness of His Son.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Philippians 3:8-9 NIV [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (emphasis mine).
Every Sunday, at my church, we repeat 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 as an affirmation.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 NIV [14] 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. [15] Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
America, as a whole, cannot repent because America is a country, not an individual. But you and I can repent and keep our hearts right before God despite the laws, foolishness, and evil that continue in this country. Don’t feel all is lost because of what the people are doing around you. God sees your heart, so keep it right before Him in humility and repentance.
Pray for God’s covering over those in leadership.
Pray for the committed followers of Jesus Christ who are in political office, or running for office, that they would be strengthened, empowered, and encouraged by the spirit of God to continue standing firm. Ask God to protect them. because when a leader takes a stand for Jesus Christ they are going to be attacked. The enemy, Satan has subtle tactics, and he might seem scary but always remember God and Satan are not equal opposing forces. Jesus Christ has already won. Satan is desperately prowling around but only for a limited time.
Pray for hearts, not issues.
Instead of praying for certain issues to pass, pray for hearts to be convicted and swayed. Instead of praying that a law will be overturned, pray for the hearts of lawmakers, candidates, and the hearts of individual voters.
God doesn’t save issues, and he doesn’t save us based on our issues or our political involvement, or even how we vote. Ask God to examine your heart on all issues so that your values and convictions align with His. And pray for others in the same way, that their hearts, not just their heads, will be engaged when it comes to their values and votes.
God cares far more about individual hearts and lives than issues.
Pray for God’s kingdom to come, not yours.
Jesus said His kingdom was not of this earth. That is not to say that Christians can’t make a difference now through spreading the gospel, through prayer, and through love for one another. Pray for a heart that is sensitive to what God wants to accomplish in your life and in the lives of those around you, and in this world, not just this country. God is much bigger than the issues going on in the U.S. or in your own backyard. Ask God to give you a biblical worldview, and it may change everything you say and do.
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