Apprentice 2 Jesus

A Republican Prays for a Democrat

This election cycle gets a lot of recycling. It seems to me, and I hear it often from others, that this election is more divisive. Then, I remember saying that about the LAST election.

But the election is what is on people’s minds, even if they don’t want it on their minds. So, we “pray.” I put that word in quotes because no matter what group I find myself in, there is an agenda. If I am with “liberal” Christians and they pray for “God’s will” in the election, it means one thing. If I am with “conservative” Christians and they pray for “God’s will” in the election, it means the opposite thing.

Let me offer up something for thought. In 2003 I had the privilege of going to Washington, D.C. and attend the National Prayer Breakfast. It is not just the breakfast itself, but for three days we were able to look into what goes on every day in the name of Christ in Washington. It’s amazing.

At one dinner a senator was giving his testimony. He had been in a bitter race a few years back for the senate seat in his state. When election night came and went, it was clear the vote was too close to call. It went to a hand count. It took weeks. During that time, the Lord convicted him. He thought, “You know, I could lose this thing. I should be praying for my opponent because he could be my senator.”

So, he started praying for the opponent. He asked for God’s blessing in his life. The opponent ended up winning the election. (Not what you want to hear, especially if you like the senator who is actually praying.)

That’s not all. The senator who lost ran again when the other seat came open. He won. Now, both of those senators serve in Congress. They are both close friends. While they are on different sides of the aisle, both attend Bible study together. Go figure.

Friends, would you think about this? If you are a John McCain supporter, do you realize in two weeks you could be waking up to the fact that Barack Obama could be your next president?

Now hold on. Friends, if you are a Barack Obama supporter, do you realize in two weeks you could be waking up to the fact that John McCain will be your next president?

What are you praying about for their lives? If you support McCain, are you REALLY praying for Obama? If you like Obama, are you REALLY praying for McCain?

If not, I would ask you to consider your biblical disobedience and repent. I had to that! Look, the Bible tells us to pray for those in authority. I may like or dislike some candidate, but if they are going to be my leader, I pray for them! We are in a bitter senate battle and I have to learn to PRAY for the guy I don’t really like!

“Well, they are the ENEMY!” you may say. Fine. The Bible still says to pray for your enemies.

I ask you again, if you are not praying for the “other guy,” why are you continuing in that disobedience? We need to live as a prophetic voice to this nation. We are to be a blessing. That doesn’t mean we can only do it as Democrats or Republicans.

It’s election season. Pray.

Vote.

And pray.