Consider the Source

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “what on earth is this country (or world) coming to?” I hear it everywhere I go. Now that we’re in election season, I also hear: “Can any candidate I vote for fix this mess?” Let me tell you straight out – I don’t know, but I know the right source to turn to. Whenever asked whether they should vote, or how they should vote, I say consider the source and find out what God says about it. For certain, if Christians are not engaged in politics, decisions will be made by people who think God is irrelevant and the truth of God’s word does not exist.

This year has been tumultuous. Our country is filled with unrest and violence. A lot has been written about this moment and how Christians should engage. Being salt and light as Christians in the public square is important, but I say equally, if not more important, are prayers for our country and world. I need guides to keep me on track, so perhaps this prayer guide will help you as it does me:

1. Pray for elected and appointed officials (1 Tim 2:2). Pray that our leaders would use their power well on behalf of the people (Rom 13), but also for the well-being of their families. Pray for those leaders you agree with and disagree with.

2. Pray for candidates running for office (1 Tim 2:2). You have to admire anyone who is willing to risk public criticism and humiliation in stepping forward to run for office.

3. Pray for public servants and first responders. Millions of men and women in our country wear a uniform and have pledged to protect us from harm. Police officers, fire-fighters, paramedics, search and rescue teams and others put their lives on the line every day in an oft-thankless task. Pray for wisdom and discernment, pray they would use their power well, pray for the wives and husbands and children who kiss them goodbye, not knowing if their loved ones will return.

4. Pray for racial justice. There is much work to be done in our country to heal from our racial wounds so we can see progress. We should all pray for more unity in our communities and in our country and for leaders who unite, rather than divide.

5. Pray for the recognition of human life and dignity. Everywhere we look, we see violations of human dignity, from abortion on demand, to the horrific rhetoric some leaders are using to talk about immigrants and refugees, to the violence erupting in the tough neighborhoods in our cities. Pray for laws that see value and worth in every human life, from conception to natural death. 6. Pray for the church. The most powerful institution on earth is the church of Jesus Christ. Pray for God’s people, from every nation, tribe and tongue, to unite together around the good news of the gospel. Pray for pastors to boldly preach and teach the word of God and to courageously call their people to Christlikeness. So where do we turn for answers? Consider the source and seek God’s answers. They are right there in front of us.

Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@ gmail.com.