Pray when you vote

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

Please pray as you cast your vote to fill the office of the 45th president of these United States. As Christians, we are faced with two candidates from whom we must choose: Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. They both provide a difficult decision for the Christian; however, let us consider it our God-given right as American citizens to vote. The right to vote has long been accompanied by much suffering, and every individual should feel obligated to vote. In America, our ancestors fought, bled, and died for the rights of all people to vote. The choice of not voting should never be an option for those who believe that voting is a God-given right to those in a democracy. We should never choose to not vote simply because the choices are difficult.

There are very good reasons for every American to vote. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1920, was the culmination of the women’s suffrage movement. This cause was fought at both state and national levels to achieve voting rights for women. In addition, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 allowed African-Americans their right to vote. This act echoed the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified on Feb. 3, 1870, and prohibited each state and local government in the U.S. from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen’s “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

For these causes every voting-age American citizen should enter a voting booth on Tuesday, Nov. 6, and make a decision. Many believe this is an election that will change how God views America unlike any other presidential election. The consensus, for many who plan to vote, is that we have a clear choice for president and must vote for the person who espouses the views that most closely represent our personal belief system. There are others who see this election as not providing a candidate they can trust or feel comfortable with when casting their vote. Many who hold this view are saying, “I will not vote.” If this is your conclusion, please allow me to ask you to pray. Pray that God will lead and guide you as you consider which candidate to support with your vote.

Mitt Romney is a social conservative who supports the views that conservatives hold in high esteem. Many believe that voting for Romney will allow the cultic beliefs of Mormonism to flow into the mainstream of American society. On the other hand, President Barack Obama has alienated many because of his support for gay rights and same-sex marriage. Many voters believe that President Obama, a social liberal and professing Christian, will cause our country to become a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah.

It’s apparent that each candidate would place America in an estranged position biblically and with God. As biblicists, we are asked to vote against our religious convictions if we vote for either candidate. Please pray when you cast your vote for Mitt Romney or Barack Obama. We must remember that both men are subject to the power and control of God. Our God hears the prayers of his people if they will humble themselves and pray for those in leadership.

Things happen after prayer and prayer changes things. No prayer—no power; little prayer—little power; much prayer—much power; but great prayer—great power. In researching the religious background of past presidents, it appears that very few were professing Christians, yet they held to Christian principles. They reflected an America whose people were mostly Christian and held to the values of the Christian faith. Consequently, please pray as you cast your vote. (1 Timothy 2:1–3) Pray for all the people as Scripture advises because some Americans are changing their moral views to reflect anti-Christian principles. It is people who influence leaders.

Also in 1 Timothy 2, Paul continued to encourage the Christian church to pray for kings who were pagan and ungodly men. These kings held the lives of all within their kingdoms under their control. The believers in the first church were also held to the tyranny of men in high positions who could make their lives as Christians lives of suffering or lives of quiet peace. Paul suggests that through prayer God could touch kings and leaders, and give them a heart for the Christian community. Consequently, finding favor with kings and leaders would allow believers to live lives of dignity as they worshipped God. Please cast your vote in prayer that God will influence the hearts of all people—kings and men in high positions.

The song “God Bless America,” composed by Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised by him in 1938, is a patriotic song of prayer that children in America once started their school day singing. It continues to bring tears to the eyes of adults who love this country:

“God Bless America, Land that I love, stand beside her and guide her, through the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home, God bless America, my home sweet home.”