Without getting too deeply into politics, I wanted to touch on this subject.
As many of you know, in America today, the upcoming election is the taking over the media. The news is full of political promises and debates, and social media is filled with both positive and negative opinions about the presidential candidates.
Taking into consideration all that is going on in the world today, I thought now would be an appropriate time to remind you to pray for those in authority.
Scripture tells us, “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:2 New Living Translation)
Those who are in authority carry a heavy burden in order that we can live the life that we live. We go day after day, working towards our dreams and careers, spending time with our loved ones, while the leaders of our country devote all of their time and effort into making America a place we can call home.
I am guilty of taking our country and leaders for granted myself. I hardly every stop to think about how I take for granted that I live in a democracy and country such as America. (On a side note, A huge THANK YOU to all of our troops who have gave their lives and are fighting for this country as well. You are the backbone of our nation.)
Back on the topic of political leaders, the present candidates have been taking a lot of heat. Every four years we get the honor of watching everyone and their brother post or tweet about their opinions of how they think this country could be better.
I’ve honestly thought about taking a step back from social media for a while specifically because all of the negativity pertaining to the upcoming presidential election has become a bit too much for me. Some are giving their views and opinions and are doing so respectively, some not so much.
As a Christian, it is beyond essential that you promote love, not hate. You should vote for someone who displays qualities of love as well, instead of hate.
If you have ever asked yourself what you can do as a Christian for your country, hear this.
In this upcoming election before you make your decision to vote, please pray, seek out God’s voice, and ask yourself these questions:
What are the qualities and characteristics of the person for whom I am voting for?
Do they display leadership qualities?
Are they moral?
Are they an example of love or hate?
Which candidate is most concerned for the sick, poor, and needy?
Years down the road will we be picking up the pieces or prospering as a result of this person getting elected?
Remember that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their many sins of hatred and affliction of the poor. Remember that Moses led God’s people into the promise land where they flourished. Who are we as a nation and what are our primary concerns?
The people either suffered or flourished as a result of the elected governing officials.
Ultimately, we are called to not only pray for authority, but to be subject to authority, just as it says in Romans 13:1, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”
Authorities have been established by God. It is our job as Christians to pray for them and be subject to them. When we pray for our leaders and governing authorities, we are coming together in unity just as God designed.
What does the scripture tell us about unity? Mark 3:25 tells us, “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand”.
“United we stand, divided we fall.”
The quote, “United we stand, divided we fall” was originally attributed to Aesop, a Greek storyteller, but has been used in “The Liberty Song” prior to the Revolutionary War and was also used by Patrick Henry, one of our founding Founding Fathers, during his last speech as he denounced the Kentucky and Virginia Resolution.
These words quickened my heart as I read them, which comes as no surprise considering they were the words that preceded the Revolutionary War which gave us independence from Britain. Henry, on the back of the Stamp Act Resolve wrote this,
“Whether America’s independence will prove a blessing or a curse will depend upon the use our people make of the blessings which a gracious God hath bestowed on us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable … Reader! whoever thou art,” Henry concluded, “practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.”
Many people who call themselves Christians today do not look like Christ. Christ was the embodiment of peace, love, sincerity, and grace. We should embody those traits as well, and be a light to others in our nation, not a people who spread hatred and criticism.
The devil wants nothing more than to cause division. If there is division, we cannot conquer. We do not want to be a house divided against itself, we will surely fall. Instead, we need to lift up our leaders in prayer and trust that God knows what He is doing and will place the ones in leadership who are supposed to be there.
If you call yourself a Christian, take a God-like approach to each and every situation. Our battles are fought on our knees in prayer, and as a nation it is crucial that we return to this.
Pray for our nation and do your part in voting for the leader who exemplifies characteristics most like Jesus. We need to come together now in prayer more than ever before. Seek God out on who you vote for so that we flourish instead of suffer in our nation. But most of all just remember; praying for our leaders will accomplish much more than bashing our leaders.
Lets put God back where He belongs.
Sources:
Federer, William J. America’s God and Country: Encyclopedia of Quotations. Coppell, TX: Fame, 1994. Print.
The Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005. Print.