Use Your Voice on Election Day!
Early and Often!
It is easy to worry about the 2024 election.
We track the results with religious attention. Each updated poll casts a shadow or sheds a glimmer of hope over our day.
Don’t worry, Christian.
Easier said than done!
The issues and leaders on the ballot bring serious moral and prudential questions into consideration for our society. I am not saying, “don’t worry, elections don’t matter!”
Fight worry in prayer!
1 Timothy 2 offers perspective that perfectly fuels prayer during an election.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
1 Timothy 2:1–7
I’d like to unfold the passage backward to highlight Paul’s priorities and why he was praying for government officials.
Paul was appointed a herald of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The work of Jesus deserves to be testified (v. 6b-7). Paul’s priority was Gospel witness and we are ambassadors who must remember that priority too.
We are excited to tell everyone because Jesus Christ gave himself as a ransom for all people (v. 6a). You can proclaim the death of Christ and offer His salvation in any land and kingdom you enter!
And we need to because there is no one else who can make people right with God. Jesus Christ is the one and only mediator between God and mankind (v. 5). Only Christ can appeal on our behalf and represent us in Heaven.
This knowledge needs to spread because God wants all people to come to saving knowledge of the truth (v. 4). No nation is off limits or left behind in this offer of grace!
It is easier to hear when it is quiet. The announcement of Christ’s salvation spreads best when people can sit and explain it freely in their backyard. God is pleased for the Gospel to spread within peaceful, quiet societies that allow for godliness and holiness.
This brings us to Election Day– we need to pray for those in authority because they can influence the situation in which the Gospel spreads.
Can kings and authorities stop God or turn His hand? No! But the normal path of His providence, including our daily witness and worship, will be impacted by prudent or proud leaders.
Paul urges us to pray! Let’s listen to his advice and talk to the Lord first and foremost about this election.
Use your vote– but lean on the Everlasting Arms in the power of prayer more profoundly than you pull the political levers.
May we call on the Lord more than we check for the pollster’s call!