Today is our presidential election. I’ll admit that I like watching the give and take – and although I try to stay out of the fray, I’m not always successful. Politics aside, I know that as a follower of Christ, I have obligations that override my political leanings and even my obligation to vote (and yes, I voted).
With such a tight race, I think that it’s safe to say that after the results come in, roughly half of us will see “the other guy” win the election. I won’t speculate on who the “other guy” might be for you or me, but here are some questions for us to consider:
- What if the other guy wins?
- What is our responsibility to those in authority?
- Does it change if “the other guy” wins?
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Tim. 2:1-4
We’re urged to pray for “kings and all those in authority.” That also includes state and local leaders; after all they are all charged with making decisions that affect us. Their responsibility is to exercise the authority that God has given them, “…for there is no authority except that which God has established.” – Romans 13:1b
Partisanship has no place in our prayers.
“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” – 1 Tim. 2:8
Why do we pray for them?
“That we may live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness,” to please God, “who wants all men…to come to a knowledge of the truth.” In other words, our lives are to be a good testimony to the
Lord and to those around us for the sake of the Gospel.
In his book, Taste and See, John paper says this:
Paul teaches us to pray for peace among nations for the sake of the gospel. Our business is to pray that:
- Justice, peace, and the proclamation of the gospel prevail.
- The Christian church not be complicit in national affairs as if nation and church were one.
- The church be seen as aliens in the cause of Christ-exalting love and justice with no supreme allegiances to any nation.
We must remember that we are “aliens and strangers” in this world (1 Peter 2:11). We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
We have a great example of how we are to conduct ourselves in Daniel 1:8-16. Daniel was not only under the leadership of “the other guy,” but he was called to work for him. Daniel held to God’s ways without showing disrespect or dishonor (Romans 13:7); he let his testimony do the talking.
When God pronounced his judgment on Nebuchadnezzar (Dan4:19), Daniel didn’t gloat; he didn’t rejoice over Nebuchadnezzar’s impending fall, he said “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries!”
When Daniel prayed in chapter 9:1-19, he didn’t pray against those responsible for Israel’s plight; he confessed the sins of the people—as one of them—and appealed to the Lord on the basis of His mercy and for the sake of His glory.
In the end, regardless of who wins, let’s remember:
- Pray for all in authority, for God has given them their authority
- Live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness (like Daniel!)
“Let us plead that [the church] would be distinct from all the nations and all the national and ethnic manifestations of pride. And that she would be unafraid to call every nation into question for the sake of justice and humility. And that Jesus Christ would be magnified…as Lord of lords and King of kings.” – John Piper
*This post was originally posted in November of 2012.
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