Yesterday I shared the poem Life Goes On to remind us not to despair when things don’t seem to go our way (and in less than two weeks, things won’t go “our way” for half the country!). As the election approaches, what are we to do?

My friend Bill Mowry has one answer, maybe THE answer: PRAY. That’s what the apostle Paul said, and he lived in a time much more antagonistic to the Christian faith than we do. Bill writes:

The first-century church grew up under an occupying military force. Rome controlled Israel, Jerusalem, and most of the known world. Signs of Roman power were everywhere. The early church took root under the leadership of the Emperor Nero, the immoral ruler who institutionalized the persecution of the early church. The church had no legal standing and was shunned in a climate dominated by the ancient gods — the pagan deities of Rome and Greece. A failure to worship the gods was a traitorous act towards the state. Paul knew that the church was living in treacherous and dangerous times.

How did the Apostle Paul encourage the church to engage in this oppressive political and social arena? Here’s his charge: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers . . . be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Bill goes on:

The phrase “first of all” speaks to that which is of greatest importance. The church’s priority list should have prayer for government leaders, whether Democrat or Republican, as one of its top priorities…Prayer is an exercise of trust and authority. Do I trust in the political process or in the God who stands behind the process? Prayer speaks to authority. When I pray, I recognize the authority of our Lord over the transient authority of political rulers. Rome is no longer a dominant force and Nero’s name lives in infamy. However, Christ’s church continues to grow (Matthew 16:18)!

“Rome is no longer a dominant force…” reminds me of something Andy Stanley pointed out a few years ago. What would the first-century Christians cowering in the catacombs have thought if you told them that within 200 years, EVERY building in Rome would have a cross on it?

Let’s pick up another snippet from Bill Mowry’s essay:

Let’s skip down to 1 Timothy 2:8 and consider how we should pray: “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling . . .”

How should we pray? First, we lift “holy hands” signaling a posture of surrender and worship. Second, we pray without anger or quarreling. It’s amazing how prayer can dissipate anger — even my anger with politicians who take positions I’m vehemently opposed to. Prayer lifts me to God’s perspective (Luke 1:52) renewing or rebuking my attitudes in the process…We do not disciple men and women to embrace our political positions or preferences. Instead, we teach them the radical strategy of prayer, exercising a re-thinking of trust and authority. We model praying for our political leaders, not only for those we like but for those we may disagree with.  – Bill Mowry, Mixing Politics with the Great Commission, October 11, 2024. I recommend the essay in its entirety.

The Apostle Peter reminds us:

Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. (1 Peter 2.13 – 17, MSG)