“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17, KJV)
Oh, ho hum.
At the end of the day, what matters is that we walked with, talked to, and learned from God. Ending the Day on a Good Note, art print from Steve Henderson Collections
There’s a presidential election looming in the United States, more than a year from now, and in accordance with the evangelistic inculcation of mass media, people are getting pumped up about it.
“VOTE!” we are adjured, “We live in the finest democracy on earth, and this is how we make our voice heard!”
Oh, yes. One vote. Once every four years. And once the guy’s in (maybe it’ll be a gal this time!), how much of a voice do we have then?
“But we need to get the RIGHT guy in! Your vote counts!”
Funny, that one person, in one office, would make so much difference. Aren’t we supposed to live in a three-unit set-up that technically checks and balances each other?
Just wondering. It’s what I was programmed to believe in public school.
A Media Circus
John Rappoport, a free-lance investigative journalist who posts the thought-provoking blog, nomorefakenews.com, describes national election campaigns as,
Words mean nothing without action to back them up; the quality of the fruit is the best indicator of the truth of one’s words. September, art print from Steve Henderson Collections.
Whether one accepts Rappoport’s observation or not (it’s difficult to refute), one has to admit that people spend (waste?) a lot of time, multiple months before the election, discussing this candidate or that. Much of that discussion, for evangelical Christians, tends to be about the candidate’s “spirituality,” and any smart, tough, no-nonsense politico knows that it’s wise to trot out a favorite Bible verse, or stare thoughtfully off into space, or — as former president Reagan did so well — tear up and choke out, “God . . . bless . . . America!”
Militarized Christians swoon.
Wise ones remember that we are known by our fruit. And faith without works is dead. So it would only make sense to look at the promises of past presidents — both Republican and Democrat — and see if they told the truth or not. And when we find that they lie, what then? What power does our one little vote, every four years, have then?
Oh, yes. We write our Congressional Representative. They mentioned that in school, too.
The Military, Industrial Christian Complex
For those who think that politics do not belong in a blog on Christianity, consider this:
The very same people — militarized, politicized Christians who weep with joy at seeing U.S. Marines sing “Days of Elijah,” or “There Is No God Like Jehovah” — throw up despairing hands at the world around us, fixating their hope upon the most “Christian” candidate as God’s choice for reformation. We need a Christian president. Christian congressional representatives. Christian judges. Or, as Billy Graham likes to say, those who “support Biblical values.”
Rarely does it occur that the answer — for Christians — lies in praying.
“Oh, but God is Sovereign, and the end is near! We have no say in His Master Plan!”
Then why are we bothering to vote?
The apostle Peter calls believers a chosen people, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and James reminds us that the great prophet Elijah was a human being, just like us (James 5:17). So was Moses. And Abraham. Elisha, David, Deborah, Jacob, Isaac, Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all the apostles.
These people then, as we do now, lived in a world overrun by evil men, corrupt institutions, totalitarian governments, and those whose love for money was greater than any other emotion. There may not have been digital voting booths, and digital money, and digital phones (chronocentrism is the belief that one’s own generation is bigger, better, and smarter than any time before us) — but godly men and women lived around, amidst, and within evil.
And, despite their day jobs, the one thing they all did in common was pray.
If we’re so convinced that our vote counts, then why do we so doubt our prayers?
Thank You
Thank you for joining me at This Woman Writes, where I encourage Christians to think outside the confines that people set up for us.
Posts complementing this one are
When Christian Leaders Say “Jump”! Do We Leap?
Blogging Pays — Even When You Don’t Make Money at It
Why You Don’t — And Won’t — Fit In
This article is linked to The Chicken Chick, Motivation Monday, Soul Survival, Mom Moments, Busy Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Meandering Mondays, A Mama’s Story, What Joy Is Mine, Anything Goes, Mopping the Floor, Mix It up Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Strangers and Pilgrims, Moms the Word, Good Morning Monday, Turn It up Tuesdays, Tips and Tricks, Good Tips, Terrific Tuesdays, Show and Share, Titus Tuesdays, Titus 2sday, Enchanting Rose, Intentional, Testimony Tuesday, Homemaking Party, Intention, Grandma’s, A Little R and R, Wake up Wednesday, Wednesday Showcase, Jennifer Dawn, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman, The Mom Club, Ducks in a Row, Happy Home Life, While I’m Waiting, Wholehearted Home, Pat and Candy, Messy Marriage, Shine, Shine on, Thoughtful Thursday, Our Simple Home, Thursday Favorite Things, Share Your Cup, Think Tank thursday, Your Turn to Shine, Sincerely Paula, Blog Booster, Learning from Each Other, That Friday Blog Hop, Family Fun Friday, Friday Flash Blog, Pretty Pintastic, Grace and Truth, Freedom Friday, Awesome
This Woman Writes by Carolyn Henderson 
Good points Carolyn…while we lived in NC I learned that all voting did there was get me on a list, top of the list apparently, to have to do jury duty, which with my health issues was not possible, thus meaning I had to see the doc (money), get him to write me a note to send to the judge asking to be excused from it, and wait on pins and needles until the ok from the judge came in. Was not worth it, frankly. I am happy for others to try to get things changed. We did that, went all the way to the state republican party meeting as county reps…nope…all that turned out to be was a big cheer leading party (had plenty of those in high school and was not seeking more)…one child of ours tried it the same and ended up also a county rep in the opposite party…heh…same deal!! The person who is in office, at least at the highest levels, is chosen and none of us are rich enough, etc. to have a say really. You might make a difference for a local candidate, maybe on county level…but that is all we saw. For years I have replied to those thinking me not very patriotic, to pray…it was far more effective. In my opinion.
If you had been a lobbyist, Elizabeth, with a generous expense account, I’m sure you would have found an ear to listen to your grievances — over a 3-martini lunch, of course.
Isn’t it funny how, when people point to the very real fallacies in bureaucracy, and ask logical questions — “What will my one letter do, when it’s read (if at all) by a high school student on some sort of internship?” “Why do we need Congress when the president, through executive orders, is capable of creating laws on his own, with no checks or balances?” — they are considered unpatriotic.
If we must discuss patriotism — which is in its own way a form of idolatry, putting the mythical image of “nation” in place of god — then wouldn’t a “patriot” be someone who is informed, aware, and willing to ask questions? That, to me, would be a definition of a “good citizen,” but the government’s (and sadly, many uninformed people’s) idea of a good citizen is “one who pays his taxes, never exceeds the speed limit, and says ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ to the police officer who just caught them in his speed trap.”
You sound like a good — and frustrated — citizen to me. You’re right. Prayer is far more effective.
Well now, that is a very interesting view on voting. In my country, it is not very different. We will have to pray seriously to have our government replaced!
In my country, we talk on and on about how we are a democracy — which theoretically means that we have a say in how we are governed. But our say seems very, very small, and is limited in scope. Bills are passed, mandates are made, entire agencies are created, all for the purpose of “governing” the people, as if we were some unruly force that needs to be controlled and coerced.
Seems to me it doesn’t matter what face gets into the office — the hands work the same mischief.
“…the answer — for Christians — lies in praying.” Amen, Amen!
So true. So hard to accept. How good and gracious our Father is that He hears our most sublime, and most pathetic, prayers. And those that we consider the most pathetic, because they come from a heart that is so humbled it can’t do anything but be honest, are the most sublime.
Prayer is more effective and we should be doing lots more of that and encouraging others to do lots more, too. But I don’t believe that means we shouldn’t vote or encourage others to vote.
I agree with you — prayer is beautiful, holy, valuable, amazing, liberating, comforting.
There is nothing magic about voting. In many totalitarian countries, people are obligated to vote, and the despots even have helpful assistants on hand to nudge them to vote the right way. They simply want the numbers to shore up what their words assert.
Within any “democracy,” one should be free to vote, or not vote — it’s a matter of individual choice. What’s more important is that people THINK, that they ask questions, that they stop accepting what they’re told to be true, without considering whether it is true or not.
Carolyn, what a strong call to prayer. Let us stand on 2 Chronicles 7:14 … humbly seek God, pray, and turn from our sins. Thank you, Carolyn, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. : )
It is a good call, and a good verse. The privilege of approaching our loving Father, any time and in any circumstance, every day and throughout the day and night, is a beautiful one. How He loves us!
I agree wholeheartedly! We need to pray for leaders, for as the Bible says, “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, He turns it whithersoever he wishes.” (I know I am off a few words on that verse, oops) Only God places and removes people from power. Thank you so much for this! Although, I do still think we should vote!
I think of Jeremiah’s advice to the exiled Israelites, to pray that the cities to which they were exiled would be blessed. The reason behind this advice was practical — if the cities that the exiles lived in were blessed, it would be easier for the exiles to live there, because the prosperity would extend, one way or another, to all (I know this sounds like Trickle Down Economics, but the problem with the latter is that there was never an intention to “share” — it was simply a great way of justifying the power and money grab of the upper elite).
In praying for a nation’s ruling class, there is a similar reasoning — we don’t pray for extra blessings for them because they are leaders and therefore special (God shows partiality to no man) — but in praying that they have wisdom, guidance, and understanding, we are praying that they will lead the nation in such a way that they don’t damage the vast majority of people who live in it.
There is no problem with voting — there is, however, a problem in giving the idea of voting more power and influence than it actually has. Boiled down, each person has just one vote — that’s it. There’s not much power in that, and if that is the full extent of a citizen’s influence in a nation that calls itself a democracy, then the government is not run by the people, for the people. The over emphasis on the power of voting masks the truth under which we live: lobbyists and special interest groups have the ear of our representatives, not ordinary people. Lobbyists, representing corporations and financial establishments, can see the elected representatives face to face; we ordinary people have to be content with sending and e-mail and getting an automated reply.
The right to vote is simply one small ingredient in a nation run by the people. Sadly, too many people stop there, and consider the right to vote the pinnacle of what we can expect, or demand.
Small correction, those words that Peter quoted, are from 1Peter 2:9.
Thank you, Mel! Good eyes, and good discernment. I have made the correction on the article. (Our of curiosity I went to 2 Peter 2:9 to see where I had been sending people: “. . . the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement.” Comforting thoughts, in a world filled with men whose whole goal in life is filled with schemes and ideas to continue to fill their storehouses, at the expense of all the other people who need to eat, and would like a decent place to live, too.)
We should be informed; however, the candidates can tell us what we want to hear and not mean a word. Our hope is in the Lord. We should be praying for God’s direction before voting. Thank you for reminding us of the power of prayer.
You are so right in the observation that the candidates tell us what we want to hear — but not necessarily the truth. And yet we, the voters, are told to be informed!
It reminds me of going to the doctor: we’re told to “take charge of our health!” but when we question the doctor’s writing out a prescription for pills, we’re sternly told, “I am the doctor and this is what I say must be done! If you don’t want to listen to me, then feel free to leave.” (A member of our family actually had this told to him; so he did the most logical thing — he left, and never went to that doctor again.)
Pingback: Fear Mongering | This Woman Writes by Carolyn Henderson
Hi This post was in the TOP SIX most clicked in Fridays Blog Booster Party #27. It will be featured in this weeks party. We look forward to seeing more of your good posts.
Kathleen
Hi, Kathleen — I am very honored, and I thank you for your kind words. I post in blog carnivals, sometimes, with a bit of trepidation, because I know that in questioning the conventions that we have been brought up to believe, this steps on toes. But questioning always steps on toes, and it is something we should be doing more of — not to be difficult, not to cause a stir, but to prevent ourselves from mindlessly accepting words that are not necessarily true.
Pingback: How Influential Is the Christian Vote? | This Woman Writes by Carolyn Henderson
Pingback: Why Your Life on This Planet Means Something | This Woman Writes by Carolyn Henderson
I know this is “picky picky”, but we’re a republic, not a democracy 😉 You are spot on though – it’s very important to pray for God’s direction and guidance in our civic duties/privileges, and I appreciate you reminding us of that. It’s easy to get caught up in legalism and making sure we get what we want instead of thanking God that He’s “got this”. Praying for this direction reminds me that He knows exactly what will happen and nothing gets past Him. It’s a privilege to vote, but a much greater privilege to pray about how to use that vote. Thanks!
Not picky at all, Cheri — you are right. We don’t live in a democracy, a civil unit (which has probably never existed in reality), in which each person’s voice truly counts equally. We live in a republic, just like Rome, where the ruling, leading class lives its lives and the little people, the ordinary nothing people, live to serve the ruling class’s wants and desires. BUT — those of us who call God our Father and Christ our brother have been invited to live in the Kingdom of God, in which what matters is so different from what we are taught in the republic, that the two worlds share nothing in common.
Voting — that one little nothing vote I mention in the article, is a little bone thrown to us by the ruling class, giving us the illusion that we have some say in the many, many, many, many, many laws that make up the republic. Obviously, we don’t. But we do have the attention and love of our Father in heaven, who does not make distinctions between His children, saying, “This one is more important than that one. This one I love more than that one. This one deserves so much more than that one. This one is a leader, and that one is a follower.”
Rather, He says — Look at my beloved Son, and listen to Him. He will show you how to live the way He did and does, trusting and loving me. Live as children of God, not children of men.
Love your response, Carolyn (that’s why I bought “The Misfit Christian”…amazing book, and I’m recommending it to everyone around me). In a world where everyone wants their way, it’s such a great reminder that we are all loved equally by the Father, and that out of love for Him, we should want what HE wants. So grateful that He will show us if we ask Him. It helps me to remember that He will do this when things seem overwhelming or downright crazy around us on whatever level – physical, mental, political, etc. I do feel frustrated sometimes that my one little nothing vote doesn’t mean much of anything, but putting it in perspective, you’re so right. Wow…it just hit me that putting so much importance on a vote can push one towards legalism. I’m grateful for the privilege of voting, but I’m way more grateful for the privilege of being a daughter of the King. Thank you so much for the great perspective.
Great insight, Cheri — this is what it looks like to live in the Kingdom of God — very, very different from what we see on TV, read in newspapers, or even, quite often, experience in a church setting. Our Father is good and kind and patient; intelligent and funny and warm; giving and close and loving. When I get overwhelmed by the total unfairness and just plain strangeness of what we’re told is “normal” life, I literally rest my mind and heart by reflecting on the incredible, amazing, unfailing goodness of God.
Pingback: Who Wants to Be Angry All the Time? | This Woman Writes by Carolyn Henderson