The problem with voting is we have two real options. Sure we can choose a third or fourth option depending on how we break it down. But the reality is most of us will chose one of two options.
We most often choose either option 1: worry-vote-complain or option 2: pray-vote-pray.
It is easy to worry. Unless you have been living under a rock, you know the divisive disaster that our country has become this year. Fears tumble around our homes and minds like rocks in the dryer. They are loud, noisy and causing damage at every turn. We find ourselves trying to cast our hope on something, someone. We need a Fixer, a Problem Solver, honestly we need a Healer.
Then we take that worry to the polls, stand in line in fear, armed with a mask and a glimmer of hope and cast a vote for our best Fixer. Then we proceed to go home with complaints on our mind and tongue. Complaints of the line, the masks, the candidates and the outcome. As the Fixer fails at fixing, because all fall short of the One True Fixer (especially politicians), our complaints grow in conjunction with our fears and we live out of a tumbling, worrisome place, grumbling and disputing, in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.
But there is another option for those of us in Christ.
We are called, by our God, our Savior and True Fixer, and the Healer to live out of option 2: pray-vote-pray. When we are truly living this option out, there is no room to worry, because we cast our anxiety on Him when we pray and tell Him about it. Then there is no room to complain because we are casting our concerns and the Spirit is filling us with love and gratitude for who He is. He gives us His perspective and rather than seeing from our own limitations, we begin to see the grace of a good God working in the midst of a hard season.
So how do we choose option 2?
- Start by praying. Along with Daniel in the Old Testament we pray, based on Daniel 2:20-23:
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. You, Lord change the times and seasons; You remove leaders and set up leaders at Your will. You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding, You reveal the deep and hidden things; and You know what is in the darkness and the light dwells with You. Help me then know how to best use my vote in this election. for Your glory alone. To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise.
2. Then we go to the polls, make the time to exercise the great privilege and responsibility we have as citizens in the United States and we GO and we VOTE. And we praise GOd for the opportunity.
3. Then we pray and pray some more. Regardless of the outcome that our sovereign God brings about, we pray for the sinful, broken men and women raised by God to lead us and our country. We pray the words Paul gave Timothy in his first letter to his mentee as he urged him that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that they would lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way. (from 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Then we live subject to the governing authorities, recognizing there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1)
Finally, while we pray, we see there is no space for grumbling and complaining. As Philippians teaches us in 2:14-16. We can, by the power of the Spirit of God within us, do all things without grumbling and disputing, that we may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of this crooked and twisted generation, among whom we are to shine like light in the world as we hold fast, not to our “rights” but to the Word of life, so that in the Day of Christ we would be proud that we did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Fellow believer, when we choose option 2 on Election Day, we are choosing to trust our good, sovereign God who handles all things well for His glory now and forever. So how will you vote?
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Praying without ceasing and bringing all our cares before Him absolutely includes our voting record. We’re to leave nothing out so we don’t have to worry. Thankfully, Jesus clears our conscience before the Lord! Thank you for this concise and clear reminder that prayer is essential in our citizenship.
absolutely! Thank you for reading, Ellie!
Amen Mariel. So wonderfully spoken and true, true, true. Thanks for sharing. Visit from FMF #11
thank you for reading, Paula!
Exactly! Thank you for the reminder to pray AFTER the vote, too!
yes, it is just as important to pray before we vote as to pray for those leaders afterwards. thank you for stopping by, Anita <3
I have to wear that stupid mask
and then go stand in line;
voting’s such an irksome task!
(Whine, whine, whine)
And what if my guy doesn’t win?
It’ll be a world of pain
and red-bold rampaging sin!
(Complain, complain, complain)
I really want to argue it,
I’ve really got the itch
to set straight neighbour nitwit.
(uh..Female dog, female dog, female dog)
Now off with mates with whom I’m chiming
for whining and social-distance dining.
HAHA!! Yes, Andrew, this is exactly what we sound like! Don’t choose option 1 this time, let’s refocus and pray, vote, pray instead! God bless you!
We pray. We vote our values. We pray some more.
amen <3
I love how you describe the two options we have! I’m not American, so don’t have the same situation of voting right now, but I think the choice between these two attitudes is relevant for a lot of other things too!
You are absolutely right, Lesley! We always have the choice to whine or pray in every situation/ experience the Lord entrusts to us.
I love your option 2. Thanks for sharing this! I’m visiting from the Grace and Truth link up today. Have a great weekend Mariel!
This is really excellent. Pray, vote, pray. I need to do less worrying… Thank you! Karen
I vote for option 2.
This is such an important reminder. As I went to vote yesterday, it came to mind to pray as I voted, not only for the candidates I chose but for those who would ultimately be elected, rather they were those I voted for or not. God calls us to pray, partnering with Him in His will and even in that, by surrendering our own wants, knowing He knows best. Praying before, when and after we vote just as in all circumstances is of utmost importance and grows us in relationship with Him and in living for His glory.
Yes, I felt the same way while voting this morning. Intentional prayer over each vote and each candidate. And yes, in all circumstances because ultimately we are here for His glory.
Oh my goodness Mariel! My husband and I were just talking this morning and came up short on answers. Your words and encouragement to “pray vote pray” are just what we need! Thank you for your insight and sharing your wisdom. This is excellent and just the encouragement we need about now!
Amen, praise God, Cindy! So grateful the post encouraged you! May our hearts be ever-focused on Him over politics through prayer.
Thank you, Mariel for the important reminder that prayer is a huge part of voting! We are privileged to have the right to vote and even more privileged to bathe that vote in prayer!
I vote for pray-vote-pray and then pray some more. 🙂 We can never pray too much!
Wow! Great way to describe the 2 options, Mariel. Of course, we should pray-vote-pray. Thank you for this timely reminder.
I am working hard at remembering that God’s people don’t have to be powerful culturally or in power politically to accomplish his purposes in the world.
yes, amen! It is by His power anyway, isn’t it? 🙂