1
Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) 1 I urge, then, first of all,
that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2
for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful
and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Dear
Lord,
Today is an eventful day in the history of our
country. Your Word says that Your eyes are everywhere, beholding both the evil
and the good. Nothing has happened in this election campaign apart from Your
knowledge. There is no candidate anywhere, at any level, who is unknown to You.
There is no ballot initiative that is a secret from You. You know every voter…
how s/he thinks and feels. Your knowledge is wonderful, yet it is also awe-ful,
for we are accountable to You.
I ask for wisdom as I vote today. Help me to see and
think clearly. I seek Your glory and I welcome Your will in my life and in my
state and in my nation. Your Word says that You know the end from the beginning.
Ours is a divided nation in so many ways. It is not unusual that we have
differences, but our differences have reached the point of hostility,
resentment, entrenchment, closed-mindedness, incivility, judgmentalism,
condescension, hatred, intolerance, impatience, utter selfishness, blatant
dishonesty, moral corruption, indifference to feelings, murderous thought,
abandonment of You…
We have much to repent of. I repent of my own
attitudes – those that are self-glorifying, self-serving, and not honoring to
You. I repent of my harshness and cynicism. I care for my country and I do not
want to lose hope for it. But ultimately my hope is in You alone. My government
cannot save me. But I pray for my leaders and all those in authority. I pray
that they will seek You, and that they will govern according to Your will and
purposes in the world. I ask You to show mercy on them, for if they/we were to
receive what they deserve, we would lose everything. Let them give up self and
be truly disposed to serving, to listening, to compassion and grace, to peace,
to kindness and gentleness, to forbearance, to goodness, and most of all, to
humility. No matter who wins. No matter what office.
Let those who are not elected be gracious and humble.
Let me respond to the election with confidence in You and the knowledge that
Your sovereignty covers election days. Give me grace to set my eyes on things
above, and not on earthly things. Earthly things are not ultimate. Only You
are. Therefore I know I can trust You regardless of any of today’s outcomes.
Therefore I will not fear. I will not be anxious or nervous or worried. The
peace You have given me keeps my heart from being troubled.
As I vote today, O Lord, be glorified. Amen.
Proverbs 15:3 (NIV) The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on
the wicked and the good.
Isaiah 46:10 (NIV) I make known the end
from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My
purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV) 4
Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things.
PRAYER: Lord, may the words of my mouth and in my
tweets and on my Facebook page and any other means through which I communicate,
and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord my Rock and my
Redeemer. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
