Within days we will face one of America’s most important elections. There is much at stake in this current generation. And in the midst of this national decision making process, our nation’s economy has suffered a near catastrophic backlash because of greed. Other issues confront us as well: an unpopular war in the middle east; ongoing threats of terrorism worldwide; as well as need all around us. Every sensible believer should be gravely concerned about this election and desire that right would prevail in our culture.
As Christians we are citizens of heaven. We are part of the kingdom of God. We are not Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green or Orange. Nor is any political party platform sacrosanct. The two dominant political parties in the USA have both good and bad, and strong and weak planks in their party’s platforms. It is only the Kingdom of God and its abiding principles that can guide the believer.
We obviously need Kingdom representatives in both political parties in order to fulfill Christ’s directive that we would be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5). But our party is the Kingdom of God, and our platform is the Bible. We have to be discrete and careful in determining our views. We cannot, for example, be enamored by a political candidate and fail to evaluate his or her values. Our opinions of what is happening in the world, or how to fix the problems of the world, must be bathed in prayer and soaked in truth.
We are believers in Jesus. We’ve been born again into a new Kingdom. We have said that our life is now Christ’s. We took up a cross and declared that we would live for Him and not for ourselves. We are believers whose faith comes from the Word of God and not the words of men. Our politics must be governed by principle not opinion.
Political Perspective
For the LORD is our Judge,
The LORD is our Lawgiver,
The LORD is our King;
He will save us; Isaiah 33:22 (NKJV)
Our political system in the United States was based on the revelation of Isaiah 33:22, received and conceived by the founding fathers in their deliberations during the drafting of the original constitution of the United States of America. The Scripture describes the three aspects of God’s rule over His people and hence the design used for the three branches of our national government: the Judicial, the Legislative, and the Executive branches.
Obviously our United States government is ruled as a democracy by the vote of the people. So we vote in our lawmakers and our executives. However, we do not always choose our Judges, as many, especially the Supreme Court, are appointed to their office.
This is the major and decisive aspect of what we are voting for this week. The person elected to the Presidency of the United States for the next four years (or perhaps eight) could possibly make two or three appointments to an aging Supreme Court. And with the trend toward choosing younger judges, these choices could affect the national judgments of the next thirty to forty years — an entire generation. This is why we need to vote, and vote wisely and prayerfully, guided by principle.
How should we then Vote?
When considering a conscientious vote, believers should consult the Word of God as well as the leading of the Holy Spirit to determine righteous action. Our vote should be determined on the basis of principle, i.e. what Scriptures are behind the issues or candidates or platforms that are being considered? A true follower of the Lord would be careful to determine the principles behind their vote. They should not vote on the basis of opinion or tradition or emotion. They should determine their view based on truth, i.e. revelation of life principles as declared and delineated in the Scriptures.
Using the precepts and truths of the Bible, the infallible Word of God, we should focus on the following principles as we process our politics:
Pray for and Honor the King!
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17 (NKJV)
All of us should vote and be good citizens.
Pray that believers and good people everywhere will be responsible, act wisely and get out and vote.
Pray for those in authority!
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Tim 2:1-2 (NKJV)
This is our first responsibility as citizens of a nation, is to pray for those whom God has allowed into office
Pray that God will raise up God-fearing persons into high offices throughout our land
Pray that righteousness will exalt our nation!
Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people. Prov 14:34 (NKJV)It is not the level of our economy, or the size of our military that exalts us- it is righteousness.
Thus we should pray for the protection of the unborn and protection of the foundation of marriage and the family.
Don’t wrestle flesh and blood but pray against evil forces!
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12 (NKJV)
We are not wrestling people. We can act with kindness and respect toward people, while at the same time praying effectively and ruthlessly against principalities and powers in high places.
Pray against evil, anti-Christ spirits, that they will be defeated and that demonic schemes will not prosper.
Pray against every evil curse and pray a blessing on our nation.
Pray that God’s people will repent and turn from their wicked ways!
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 will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14 (NKJV)
The responsibility for the healing of the land is upon God’s people. We need to take our place humbly at the feet of Jesus and ask for His mercy and His healing for our land.
Pray for a great awakening among God’s people, and that churches across America will pray and seek the face of God and repent of sin.
Other practical Prayer Points:
- Pray for millions of believers to be stirred to prayer and fasting this week.
- Pray for a miraculous turnout of God-fearing people for the vote across the nation, in every state
- Pray that all people will be influenced in their minds in a righteous way when they go to cast their ballots
- Pray that ballot measures to protect life and to protect marriage will pass nationwide
- Pray against any evil spirits of racism that would try to take advantage of this time to stir violence and anger among our population
- Pray for righteous Executives to be elected- including President and Governors nationwide, so that righteous judges will be appointed for this next generation
Across America, millions of believers are praying for divine intervention in this election. We are one church among thousands that are calling their people to prayer. I trust you will join this historic spiritual effort to see His Kingdom come and His will be done in the earth.