Under God

Today is the final day of voting in the 2024 election. It's been a long season, dating back to the spring of this year - some candidates have been in the running since before the beginning of the year. Even though there are some that are exhausted, we must recognize that God is our source of strength, and He will equip and empower us for the work of His Kingdom. Psalm 31 states:
15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.
16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies' sake.
17 Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!

Over the last few days, Christians across America have been participating in organized prayer efforts in advance of the election.  While we have heard before that certain elections are the "most" important elections that have occurred, we have to recognize that each one of them are critical, and that, as it's been said, "elections have consequences."

You may have already voted, or are making plans to do so.  We can make sure that we are faithful and then trust God with the results.  But, He is certainly not uninterested in the outcome, and we recognize that, as the book of Daniel says, He is the one who raises up "kings," or governmental leaders, as well as bringing them down. 

One of our Faith Radio programmers has made some strong statements regarding the election and has released a prayer for it.  Because I believe we don't stop praying for our nation and its leaders once the ballot is cast. 

That programmer is the Senior Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego, David Jeremiah, heard on Turning Point twice each weekday - at 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.  A recent Crosswalk.com article quoted from Dr. Jeremiah:

"I've never been the voice of doom and gloom, but of hope in our salvation through Jesus Christ, and of trust in God for our future, no matter the circumstances," Jeremiah said.

"However, the soul of America is at stake because the values and principles that secured this country's greatness are being threatened," he said. "America faces a critical situation today. Our secular society has mounted the most aggressive attack on moral values in America's history."

He added:

"While I have always said that your political persuasion has nothing to do with your personal salvation, I am careful to point out that some issues considered political are nothing more than biblical issues that have been dragged into the political arena," Jeremiah said. "In this election, we face many such issues, critical moral decisions that will shape the days ahead. As Christians, we carry a dual responsibility to the state and to God, and we cannot afford to neglect either one."

While he admitted that the "only thing that can change the direction of our country...is a revival of biblical proportions and a return to the moral and spiritual principles of Scripture in which our greatness is rooted...," he also noted that, "Your participation in this election is a way to demonstrate your Christian values in a tangible way..."

After his comments, he prayed "A Prayer for America," which the article related could be found on his website.  The operative phrase in the prayer is "Make us one nation under God."  He prayed:

Dear Father,

Living in uncertain times, You are a certain God.

Seeing turmoil all around us, You are the Peace within us.

And though the future may seem dim, You are the Light that illuminates our path forward.

Make us one nation under God.

May we remember the high cost that was paid to live in one nation, a nation under God.

May we not be fractured by politics or pettiness, but stand together as an indivisible people, ready to face the challenges of our future.

May we graciously live within the freedom and liberty endowed to us by our Creator. And may we seek justice for all, no matter their race, color, or creed.

Make us one nation under God. 

Though imperfect, let us become a more perfect union. Sometimes divided, let us learn to live indivisibly. And at times ungrateful, let we the people be grateful for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

In you, God, we trust to heal the wounds of our past. Give us strength to endure the trials of today, and provide guidance to live together in a more peaceful tomorrow.

Make us one nation under God.

May your Word direct us, Your promises keep us, Your power protect us, and Your purpose restore us.

May our courage propel us, love define us, humility constrain us, and faith unite us.

Make us one nation under God.

Father, we are blessed beyond measure, thankful beyond words, and hopeful beyond imagination.

Make us one nation under God.

So, today we continue to pray, to call out to God for our nation and the outcome of this election. Tomorrow, we can continue to pray and call out out to God, recognizing His sovereignty over the world and our nation.  And, we can work harder to know the truth and speak it, to speak out on the issues which formed the basis for our votes.

We can also be determined to live our lives for Christ, even in the face of opposition. I believe that religious freedom should ideally be a major determinant in this election - who will champion it and who will not?  And, when our freedoms are under assault, we can continue to trust the Lord to sustain us.