Even if we have strong feelings-especially negative feelings toward the elected official, the question is: How should we pray?
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Even if we have strong feelings-especially negative feelings toward the elected official, the question is: How should we pray?
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I take comfort in the Scriptural examples of God getting hold of the hearts of unbelieving leaders. Through dreams given to an unbelieving Pharaoh, God raised up Joseph and showed His own power through Joseph. God humbled Nebuchadnezzar to the point where this unbelieving king was turned into a believer, from all we can tell. God's arm is not too short to work through both believers and unbelievers.
I also recognize that there are many issues on which believing Christians can reasonably disagree. Neither political party has a monopoly on truth. And I've also come to realize that many political issues are far more complex than I fully know, and change can involve many more steps than I can appreciate.
Bottom line - I don't regularly pray for specific outcomes, either of elections or of political issues. Instead, I tend to pray for wisdom for our leaders. I ask God to protect them from temptation, particularly the tempation to corruption and dishonest gain from lobbyists, etc. I ask God to lead them to answers and decisions that will be best for the country.
So here's an example. I'm steadfastly against the Health Care bill currently in the making. So much is wrong with that bill that I don't even know where to start. But I don't pray for the killing of the bill. Instead, I ask God to look down on those who are suffering and in need of care that they can't get today, and to see their needs and hear their cries. I pray for God's wisdom for our leaders in setting up a health care system that truly meets the needs of the people. I pray for freedom from political bias for those working on the bill, so that their minds can be clear to create the best system possible. I ask God to clarify the issues and to keep our leaders from getting sidetracked from those issues. I pray for honesty and integrity to characterize our medical system, pharmaceutical companies, health insurance industry, etc. I ask God to raise up the banner of the individual so that people will be placed before profits and kickbacks. I pray for cleansing of the system where that's needed.
In all of these things, I'm careful to pray for God to act, not for people to change or for leaders to do a certain thing or vote a certain way. I want God to be the one answering prayer. So I don't pray that a leader will vote a certain way or that he will become a person of integrity; I ask God to be sovereign over the vote and I pray for Him to develop godly character in our leaders.
Scripture says that when the leader is righteous, the people rejoice. I pray for the salvation of our leaders and that God would make their walk with Him the most important part of what they do.
That's one person's answer. Helpful? Thoughts?
Thank you.