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First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV).
Today, November 8, 2022, America votes – unless you voted early (I hope you did or you will).
I vote for an unusual reason. I vote because I pray.
I have my political opinions; I am an American citizen, and I believe some beliefs and policies held by politicians are Biblical but many are not. I still pray for all who are elected.
I give honor to those in authority whether I agree with them or not (Titus 3:1).
Politics aren’t black and white; politicians are gray (a mixture of good and bad), and so I pray.
God, how do You want me to vote?
With some issues and people on the ballot, it’s difficult to know how to vote. In my prayers, I consider names and sense God’s peace. I know this is an unusual way to discern voting, but I get peace for candidates in my spirit, and I vote for them.
I realize other believers don’t vote like me, and I’m not judging them.
My peace about candidates is influenced by my Biblical viewpoint. The Bible teaches God, justice, marriage, peace, purity, and the right to earn money and spend it according to your calling. I believe in taxes and regulations through laws, as human institutions are inherently fleshly and corrupt.
I laugh when someone says, “Churches should stay out of politics.” It’s like saying, “Hey, I don’t believe in the Bible, and my viewpoint is better than yours, so if you live according to the Bible you shouldn’t vote.”
I know many Russians. Currently, my wife and I have a Russian family living with us. When I talk to my Russian friends about voting in Russia, they laugh because they know elections in Russia are a sham. Some now think American elections are being stolen.
I don’t.
I believe that my vote today will count. I have prayed about who I’m voting for and what I think about the other issues on the ballot. This is what I love about America: we can still vote, we can still pray, and we can still worship.
The Bible is rational and reasonable. Those living according to its principles should seek debate that seeks to listen rather than shout. James encourages all of us to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19).
We can’t help ourselves; we promote our opinions. We get intense.
There is something Biblical about Christians heatedly debating ideas. However, this world is not our home. We can’t lose the perspective that the Kingdom of God, not America, will endure for eternity.
This brings me back to prayer. It is the end times, and rational thought will give sway to anger, diabolical thinking, and false teachers who undermine scripture. Prayer, more than one vote, allows us to influence our country and the nations.
Of course, I think you should vote like me and that you are unbiblical if you don’t, but I still love you!
I hope we don’t lose our sense of humor. A Russian once told me, “There is something about freedom that allows a nation to laugh at itself.”