Comments on: Crisis Prayer for Elections?

By: Dan Bursch

Dan Bursch — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:35:36 +0000

Thanks so much for taking the time to write on this subject. You are in a position of influence and I love to hear such an intelligent take on our mission as Christians. Let’s show the love of Christ and the power of God to the next generation who will some day run this country.

By: Annette

Annette — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:52:10 +0000

“We are coming into a post-Christian era in America and we are going to have to change our strategy for communicating the message of love and hope that is found in the gospel. Followers of Christ need to embrace the blessings of America by being involved in the political process. But we should not rely on our legislative or political influence alone. We must demonstrate our message by acts of love and kindness, not just proclaim our ideas through the platform of politics. We will always be responsible to set our priorities, values and ideals according to the Bible, not the Constitution.”

This is really important and something that’s being turned over in my mind a lot. I’ve been wondering lately if we, as Christians, have found it easier to “outsource” the Great Commission. Have you ever called an airline and spoken to “Jason” who, clearly, is from India? He can read the script but he doesn’t really understand the message. He sure can’t answer your questions.

Likewise - do we look for a candidate that can legistlatively affect outward behavior so that we have a culture that comfortably accomodates our beliefs, rather than letting “God in us” transform our culture? Will that even work?

This whole “Merry Christmas” issue is just beyond my comprehension. Is it the responsibility of some department store clerk to proclain the message of “God became man” by saying “Merry Christmas”? If she’s not a believer, she can read the script but does she even understand the message? Should we be demanding that the world make us feel good about the birth of our Savior or is that our message to proclaim to the world at large.

Hmmmm….maybe this whole “Joy to the World” thing is my job. If so, maybe I better figure out how I’m going to do what I’m called to do.

By: Mike Postlethwait

Mike Postlethwait — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:42:38 +0000

Ross,
Great Blog,
I am currently working on a book along these exact same lines! I would be interested in your thoughts on my post-election blog found at the site listed above. Great minds think alike!

By: Jann Saulsberry

Jann Saulsberry — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:27:31 +0000

Ross thanks for providing me the vocabulary to express what has been theshing around in my heart. as we move towards our next “report card” there is plenty of work to be done. some of it face down and some of it face to face with friends and neighbors. for me, i trust His word that promises that the heart of a leader is like a stream/channel of water in god’s hand’s. I want to diligently pray for our leaders … But I also want to diligently work through my relationships so I don’t feel a need to panic four years from now. Good word. Thanks so much for the encouragement. God bless you, Aimee and the family.

By: Roy

Roy — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:12:10 +0000

Very well done Ross!
Greetings from Germany!

By: Dan Elzy

Dan Elzy — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:18:59 +0000

Thanks for your mature perspective in this situation. I believe that God knew that Barack Obama was going to be the next president and NOW we are told by scripture to pray for our leaders. Look at our example in the Word, Paul was praying for his leaders in the Roman empire even as they killed Christians. We must remember that God is big enough to be God even while Barack Obama is president.

By: Carol Prentiss

Carol Prentiss — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:17:17 +0000

Well said, Pastor Ross. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with praying for everyone, especially Christians, to have wisdom for any important decision, including an election. I don’t think such requests are necessarily an emergency mindset, but possibly just a timely one. Prayers usually do increase as an event gets closer. That’s just human nature. I may be praying for my childrens’ future spouses now, but I will pray even more once they meet and make plans to get married. Also, just because not everyone is praying for my children’s spouses doesn’t mean I shouldn’t. Since God says to pray for those in authority over us, I will definitely pray for the next leader even before elections take place. It was an important election because, as you said, we are moving into a post-Christian era and we should look to God for the best strategy in this situation. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Eph. 6:18 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philip. 4:6 We can pray for God to help the carpet cleaner guy do a good job, or our dentist to have wisdom, just as much as we can pray for God to bring people to Him, whether that begins in their mind or in their heart. Maybe a 5 year old doesn’t know as well how to communicate with his dad as a 20 year old, but the dad is going to hear the heart of each one’s request and not judge whether it was a correct request. Some Christians were anxious about this election and so they should pray more or fast more if they felt led to. There’s no condemnation in that. Some Christians were trying to “be alert.” That’s okay too. Not every one in the body is going to be doing the same things at the same time all the time. I don’t want to caution people from going to the Lord with anything and everything they want to talk to Him about. We can be bold, not fearful of praying the “wrong” thing. I think what another Christian talks to the Lord about is that believer’s call, not mine. First of all we should be working with the Holy Spirit to change people’s hearts but that doesn’t mean we can’t pray that the Lord would use an election to reach someone even if it happens first in their mind and then eventually their heart. God can use anything to reach someone. Who knows, maybe someone’s prayer that “Bob” would have wisdom in his election decisions eventually leads to him coming to Christ just because someone took the time to pray for him. We don’t know God’s every working. So, love, pray and pray some more. Some water and some plant. Watering and planting can be more exactly placed but they don’t have to be. The water and the seeds can go everywhere, just as long as we’re doing one of them. Watering is just as important as planting. Maybe watering is more parallel to praying, and planting to actually interacting with people. “The man who waters and the man who plants have one purpose.” 1 Corin. 3:8 What we need to caution Christians about is being unrepentant and staying in willful sin because that is the time when God may not hear someone’s prayers. Thanks for writing this blog. God bless you!

By: Teresa Sahhar

Teresa Sahhar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:39:15 +0000

Hey Ross - great perspective! I keep telling people that McCain and maybe even President Bush got voted out, but that God can’t be voted out … He didn’t fall off His throne when the election was called in Obama’s favor. I’ve heard people say that we need to even call a national day of mourning! Come on people! Continue to serve God and reach out to people. Nothing has really changed for us…our calling to people didn’t change last Tuesday night.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:25:17 +0000

Amen. My country is so-called democratic….. but its really not. Like you said, we have to pray very hard I believe that in all things, God reigns supreme… and He sees everything that man does, good or bad, in public or in secret. In His time, He will reveal His purposes. May God continue to use America to bring His salvation to the nations.

By: Kiko Jeantette

Kiko Jeantette — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:01:31 +0000

AMEN