Pray for America
Conservative circles have been deeply concerned about the recent elections. The major shift in the US election has upended the nation's political power structure. Many are now wondering what will happen in the US and how conservatives should respond. The arguments have started, and political pundits are debating whether the tent needs to be expanded or narrowed, and whether social issues should be emphasized or downplayed. One thing is for sure: Republicans and conservatives in the USA have been rocked by the results from last Tuesday.
Should the church respond in a similar manner? Should we be wringing our hands in anxiety? Should we join in the shock and despair? I think the answer is a resounding no. We should care about our government. We should have an interest in the social, economic, and other issues of the day. We are not called to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the world. We are called to be in the world but not of the world.
With this in mind, we should not overreact to the election. Christians should view every election in light of God's providence. Whichever side wins, Christ is still on the throne, and Jesus is King! The nations and governments of men are under His authority. We see this clearly in Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 4:17:
"The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men."
Christians, know that God is in control. Armed with this truth, our response should be simple: pray for our country. This is more important than your Facebook post, volunteering for a political party, or even running for office yourself. Engaging the world and supporting good candidates and causes are not bad, but we need to look beyond them. The church needs to look to Christ, not to the Republican or Democratic parties. Our hope is not found in the halls of power in Washington, DC. Our hope is found at the throne of heaven. We should beseech heaven in prayer for our nation, so that we may see real change in hearts, not just in the trappings of power.
But what should we pray for?
- Pray for our elected officials (1 Timothy 2:1–2; WCF 23.4). The Bible calls us to pray for those whom God has placed over us in government, and we should pray for them regularly. Pray for their salvation, and pray that they would govern the nation and the states by the principles of Scripture.
- Pray for the preaching of the Word. What our nation needs is a great awakening of its heart, a turning back to Jesus and the truth of His Word. Where does revival start? It starts in the church. It starts with God pouring out His blessing on the means of grace, both by empowering our preaching and by answering our prayers. It starts with preaching that convicts of sin and draws sinners to new life, and that challenges saints to greater obedience, so that God's people take their faith more seriously. It continues as God works in Christians, causing them to die to the world and its power and allure, and to let Christ rule in our churches, homes, and hearts. A faithful church bearing witness in the world will do much more than any politician or party.
Election Day was rough this time for conservative-leaning Christians. Elections will always ebb and flow. We need to turn to our eternal and ultimate hope. We need to turn to where we can find help. We need to turn to Christ! We need to lift up our prayers, ask Him to bring revival, and then seek that revival in our own lives.
