Life as a Christian Woman

We are in the midst of a long election season here in the United States. Now that we have narrowed the field to two primary candidates, Barack Obama (Democrat) and John McCain (Republican), we are inundated every day with stories on the two men… their likes, dislikes, spouses, children, education. And most importantly, their beliefs.

But how important is what they believe, really? The short answer is, very. As Christians we need to do all we can to make sure that we are voting for the man we feel God has chosen to lead this nation. But the reality is that by the time candidates make it to the national stage, they have become well-versed in what to say and how to say it. Their job is to get the most votes, to “court” the different communities that make up this nation. To that end, they will say what they need to say to get the votes.

John McCain

So we open magazines and newspapers and read statements that the candidates make about their faith journeys. We turn on television and see commentators debate whether the “religious right” is willing to back one candidate or will turn to another. And not only to we get to hear each candidate espouse their beliefs, but we get to hear the “dirty little lies” that the candidates will plant about each other (oh sure, THEY don’t do it, but their operatives do. Enough said).

But here is the sad truth. We can’t know the heart of any candidate any more than we can know the heart of the stranger sitting next to us on a bus. We can’t know another’s heart, only God can. So what is a Christian to do?

Pray.

Seems simple enough, but once again, the greatest tool that a Christian has, and the easiest one to use, is the one needed for this task. We may not know John McCain or Barack Obama’s heart, but we can pray and follow God’s direction. We can pray that He will lead us in the direction we should go.

Barack Obama

But it doesn’t stop, or even start, there. We should start praying now, not just for God’s guidance in who to vote for, but that God is preparing the man who will win this election to lead. And by lead, I mean follow God’s leadership. We need to pray for our future president to have the heart of a servant, the ears of the faithful, and the discernment of the saints. We need to pray that God will provide him with honorable men and women to assist him, and that his family will be strong and up to the task.

And once the election comes (finally!), no matter who is elected, we need to continue in prayer for the man that is chosen to lead. It sure is easy to slap a bumper sticker on your car that says, “Don’t blame me, I voted for the other guy,” but it doesn’t do anyone any good. Prayer does.

We need to come together as one and pray for our leaders. And not just our national leaders, but our local and state leaders, as well. All these men and women need our prayers, too.

So let’s all come together in prayer for the men who are running for our highest office. Pray that whoever is elected, God will be in control.