Eight years ago, I ministered to some friends who longed for their candidate to win the 2012 Presidential Election. For most, their candidate did not win, as an Officer and a member of the Army Chaplain Corps. I gave them some encouragement that I believe still rings true in 2020. Today, as America votes on the next President of the United States, I share with you these thoughts:
- Trust Who Sits on the Throne in Heaven than in the Oval Office – God is still greater than any earthly position. While voting is essential and something we should carefully pray over, we need to not worry about who sits in the Oval Office.
- God is Sovereign – A healthy concern for who is President is understandable. Still, God saw their election long before 2020. He has a plan and a path moving forward. When we are His children, we know that even if our opposite choice wins, their election win is not beyond God’s long-term plan. Remember, he can cause a nation to rise and fall and relent on that plan. (Jeremiah 18).
- Let’s Not Pray Against The President – Eight years ago and even now, I’ve heard of some who claim they’ll pray for the President, but for them to fail. That’s praying against them. If they fail at doing their job, then we fail at citizens and face the negative consequences.
- We Should Pray For Our President – Notice I use the word “our.” No matter what happens, whoever wins will be the President of the United States. Like it or not, they are your (our) President. We should pray for them, ask them to have Godly wisdom, and that God will have their way through whoever is elected.
- Choose Now to Refuse to Be Cynical – We are committed to whoever wins for at least the next four years. Being needlessly cynical will not benefit anyone. Even before this election we’ve had enough negativity. We might not like the winner, or think they are even ideal, but we can choose to embrace another. Remember, we have far more in common than we do apart. Let’s not let our pursuit of perfect political ideology keep us from loving another when we are more alike than we think.
In closing, despite what decades of culture wars have taught, I don’t think either candidate or party is ideal anymore. Therefore, a part of bringing our nation together is choosing to trust God eternally (Romans 13), trust Him earthly, and pray for those whom He allows into power despite either side’s idealism.
No matter how today ends, will you join me in praying towards peace and trusting God, no matter the outcome?
I hope so and know that God has blessed our nation! Will you choose to see his blessing? What will your decision be after Election Day?
