I will pray

Are you sick of all the political ads on TV?  Brace yourself. In the coming month it's going to get worse. For some time we have been enlightened by the position and beliefs of one candidate, only to have the opposing candidate try to cancel out the statements made by the first. The next day candidate number one tries to negate statements made by candidate two. Many voters exit the voting booth in celebration because the political ads and arguments are finally over....till next time. 

Numerous opinions on which candidate we should vote for can be heard in the coffee shops, on the street, and even in the discussions with friends at church.  That might bring up the question, "Is there a candidate that would be the right choice for a Christian?"  

While you mull that over in your mind, you might also ask yourself about your feelings and motives in selecting the candidate which will receive your vote. After all, Jesus has said in the Sermon on the Mount, that we should not be judging each other.  We should always be aware that the judgment we use on someone else is the same judgment God will use on us. 

Entering a voting booth and pulling one lever is a form of judging. It is also a form of selecting the right man for the job, according to our opinion. So in the established method of us selecting our leaders, there is the opportunity to decide which candidate is better. Harsh and cruel statements about either candidate has no place for the Christian. 

All of this leads me to encourage everyone to join in with one of the numerous religious leaders of our country in 40 days of prayer prior to election day.  Because of the importance of our country's leadership, nothing could be better for us than spending time in daily prayer for America.  Seek God's direction as you pray and be constant in your prayers. 

Here is a list of things I am going to pray about. You would do well to make a list of your own.

1.  I will pray for America. I would like to see America return to its roots of being a God-fearing nation that places emphasis on spiritual matters. 

2. I will pray that God will lead me in my selection of a leader.  I need to have the assurance that my vote will be cast according to the will of God. 

3. I will pray that God will make himself known to the winning candidate. Elected officials that place their trust in God are needed in today's world situations. 

4. I will pray that good, not evil, will come from this election. With so many locations across our globe in strife and conflict, my prayer will be for the will of the Father to prevail in all places, foreign and domestic. 

May we all grow closer to God and experience the love of the body of Christ in the days ahead. 

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