‘If we do justice at the polls to our own conscience and sense of responsibility, then alone can we do justice to the nation we love; then alone can we make our beloved land a symbol and shrine of hope and faith for all free men.? ? Adlai E. Stevenson
The votes have been tallied and it’s official, President Barack Obama will live in the White House for another four years.
To the majority (of those that voted) this is a celebration and to the some in the minority this is the worst possible thing that could have happened and it’s the end of world as we know it.
I always find election season interesting because it brings out ‘the best? in people and by the best I mean you get to see what is really in one’s heart. While I’ve heard and had plenty of political conversations in my 28 years of life, the new age of social media has only heightened people’s expression of political thoughts and commentary or at least given them a more open forum in which to give their view.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard or read the venomous hate spewed from people’s mouths as I did this election. The worst things said seemed to be from those who claim to be Christians and as a Christian I am embarassed and saddened. I don’t see justification for such speech anywhere in the Bible, but what I do see is an encouragement for us to pray for those in leadership and authority.
‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people? for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.? – 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV (New International Version).
Our prayers should not be ‘God remove this person from office because I think they’re an idiot.? Our prayer should be that the president have a true revelation of who Jesus Christ is and that encounter with God would change his life forever and how he leads the nation. Like Abraham Lincoln, he be driven to his knees because he had no other place to go.
The bible also tells us in Proverbs 21 that ‘The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.? Whether the president is Obama or would have been Romney the charge to pray for those leading the country is the same.
I know when I lay my head down at night, my hope is not in the President of the United States, my hope is in the King of Kings and the ruler of all nations Jesus Christ.
I understand that this view is one that not all will agree with and that’s OK . That’s one thing I love about this country is that we all have different thoughts and views to share and we live in a nation that allows us to freely share them.
So just as I take my resposibility to go to the polls and vote as an American citizen, as a Christian I must also take my responsibility to pray for the president and I hope you will too.