Greetings,
As we all know the elections are just over forty days away. In the last few weeks I have seen a renewed emphasis on the need to pray for the elections. With this sentiment I whole-heartedly agree. However, I wanted to take a few moments and make sure that we focus our prayers on the right target.
Many people will go to their knees in prayer for their particular candidate to win or for their particular party to obtain power. However, I am quite certain that this is the wrong emphasis for our prayers. Over the last sixty years, a steep moral and spiritual decline has overcome our society. Sin has become acceptable and righteousness has been labeled "hate" and "intolerant." This decline has come on the watch of both conservatives and liberals. This decline has come while having Southern Baptist, Methodist, Catholics, and Episcopalians in the office of the presidency.
The reality is that we have a spiritual problem in our country that cannot be solved by political activity. Rather, political activity has in many ways distracted the church from its mission. 2 Timothy 2 speaks directly to this point for us today. Paul, while imprisoned by the Roman authorities, does not call for civil disobedience or political action. Rather he encourages Timothy to be a good soldier and remain faithful to the call of the Gospel.
The only hope our society has today is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This has been its only hope from the beginning. When the church forgets that, then the church has lost her ability to truly affect change. There is no lasting political solution, there is no lasting economic solution, and there is no lasting social solution to the issues we face in America today. The only true sustaining solution that exists is the Gospel of Jesus Christ taking hold of hearts and changing lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
When we pray leading up to this election, let us not entagle ourselves in civilian matters. Rather let us pray for the release of the Gospel upon the hearts and lives of those who are running for office and voting for those officers. The Gospel is the power of God to bring about salvation. Let us not forget that as we talk about abortion, gay marriage, or terrorism. Let us be as faithful in sharing the Gospel message with those we meet as we are in sharing our political views.
Pray that God will expand his kingdom in the hearts and lives of those who know him and pray that he will expand his kingdom into the hearts and lives of those who do not. Pray that his will be accomplished in the coming days. Pray for a move of his presence that will draw men closer to him. Pray that he would draw you closer to his side.
Then take time to vote. Every believer has the civic responsiblity to vote according to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life. Vote with confidence and with pride. Vote, but do not forget that the hope of our nation does not lie in your vote, it rest soley in your willingness to share the Gospel.
God Bless
