The most important decision you’ll make on Election Day

This probably isn’t a word for everyone, but—no matter your faith, if you believe in God and in prayer—the most important election decision you’ll make won’t be who gets your vote. The most important decision is to start your day with prayer.

The old adage is true: “Religion and politics make strange bedfellows,” but when it comes to being a person of faith – your belief system should determine your politics, not the other way around.

If you listen to experts and politicians, you might think that the future of humanity depends on who is elected to the highest office in our country, but as Pastor Max Lucado likes to say: “We don’t know that the future exists, but we know who owns the future.”

A man fills out a ballot at a voting booth May 17, 2022, in Mount Gilead, North Carolina. (Getty Images)

With this little bit of wisdom, prayer opens the door to the direction and wisdom we all need as we step into the ballot box.

CHRISTIANS NEED TO STOP BELIEVING THESE “MYTHS” ABOUT POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, SAYS A BELIEVED LEADER

What should we pray for? to vote? Take the example of King David in the Hebrew Scriptures: “Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me into Your truth and teach me, for You are God, my Savior, and my hope is in You all the day long.” (Psalm 25:4-6).

This little prayer says a lot, doesn’t it? If we have made a decision about who will receive our vote without consulting the One who placed us on planet Earth, then our vote is based on the powerless wisdom of the man in the mirror. But if we seek first the guidance of the Most High, it is not an exaggeration to suggest that we have the opportunity to enter into a kind of divine partnership with the destiny of our nation.

And if”my hopeIf we use David’s words – is in God “all day long”, then it is in the right position, because for people of faith, their hope should not be primarily in party, politics or politics.

So before you decide on the “who,” pray—ask God to reveal His ways… His ways… His truth… At this point, God may well confirm your thoughts, or God may change your mind—but either way, how and in any aspect of a believer’s life, you will not make the decision alone.

THESE STATES ARE THE MOST FRIENDLY AND FREE FOR RELIGIOUS GROUPS THIS ELECTION YEAR, NEW STUDY SAYS

And if you are tempted to believe, as many have suggested, that the Almighty is more closely aligned with a particular candidate or political party than another, then a dose of truth serum called prayer will shake you out of that mirage and bring you back. a more accurate response to this moment in history.

We should not cling to the hope that God is on “my side” and not “theirs.” During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was allegedly asked if God was on his side. “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side,” said the President, “my greatest concern is being on God’s side, for God is always right.”

As a friend of mine likes to say, “We need to stop spending so much time trying to decide whose side God is on and decide to be on His side,” which brings me to what believers need to pray for. after elections.

We are surrounded on all sides by divisionists who preach a message of red states and blue states, us and them, enemies and allies, even good and evil. If this is how you’re being led to think about America, perhaps it’s time to reboot your internal operating system. A political opponent is not and should not be considered an “enemy.” This person is as much an enemy to him as you are.

PRAYERS FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPIKE ON HALLOW APP AFTER MURDER ATTEMPT

A friend of mine, driving through Pennsylvania during the last election cycle, passed a billboard that read, “America’s Only Hope: Not a Donkey or an Elephant, but a Lamb.” This year, 2024, cries out for an end to our political divisions, but it will require some divine intervention that comes in answer to prayer.

Regardless of who wins, the call of people of faith who pray is to pray specifically for all those in power—all those who are elected—that they will actually help us live more in accordance with our American hopes. What if our candidate loses? Pray. What if our candidate wins? Pray.

You may have seen the recent movie “Reagan,” which features a touching moment when Democratic House Speaker Tip O’Neill, who once called Ronald Reagan the worst president in American history, visited President Reagan in the hospital while he was recovering from his assassination. try. For a moment in the film, they pause their cheerful chatter and read a passage from Psalm 23 together. But the real story is much more compelling.

THIS GROUP HAS THE NUMBERS TO DECIDE THE US PRESIDENCY – IF THEY GO

Apart from his family, O’Neill was the first official from Washington to visit the recovering Reagan. When O’Neill entered the room, only one member of the President’s staff was in the room. Max Friedersdoff, who was assigned to guard the president’s room against unwanted guests, later shared what actually happened at that moment with NBC’s Chris Matthews:

“When the speaker came in, he nodded to me, walked up to the bed, grabbed the President by both hands and said, ‘God bless you, Mr. President.’

“…the speaker knelt down and said that he would like to offer a prayer for the President, choosing the 23rd Psalm. “The Lord is my shepherd; I don’t want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.” … “(The President) … read part of the prayer almost in a whisper along with the speaker.”

President Ronald Reagan meets with members of Congress (from left): Congressman Bob Michel, Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill and Senator Howard Baker at the White House. (Bettmann/Contributor/Getty)

“As soon as they finished, the speaker released the President’s hand, stood up and leaned over to kiss his forehead. “I better go,” he told the patient, “I don’t want to tire you.” you’re coming out.”

My fellow Americans, think for a moment.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONS

Wouldn’t our “divided” nation benefit from more powerful, faithful, moral and prayerful leadership instead of what we have seen between political factions over the past few years? How can we get there? Pray.

So, before you vote, pray. If you have already voted, pray too. And after the elections, pray even more.

If you’re looking for words to help you do this, why not borrow the words of George H. W. Bush, who also made a very important decision on his inauguration day: his first act as president would be to pray. He turned to the Almighty and led the people with the following prayer:

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love. Please accept our gratitude for the peace this day brings and the shared faith that makes its continuation possible. Make us strong to do Your work, ready to listen and hear Your will. and write these words on our hearts: “Use your power to help people.”… Help us remember this, Lord.”

Can I get another Amen? In the days ahead, let’s pray… and then keep praying. We need it.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE ED. DR. RUSSELL LEVENSON