Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Dear Lord...

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

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