Dear COA Family,
How can we pray for the United States of America as they approach their monumental polls on
November 6?
First of all, I must state that I have no intention to comment or be involved in any way in the domestic politics of USA. I believe that the election of the next President is something for the citizens of that country alone to determine, and what’s more, the church should always be a community above political influence.
Yet what concerns me about this particular election is the amount of hate and vitriol that is hurled by both sides at each other. A cursory examination of the campaign strategies of both the Democrat and Republican platforms reveals that they are centred on demonising the other party. The divide between both parties and their supporters can hardly be more pronounced.
Just recently, in the lead-up to the elections, the tone has grown more shrill. Terms like “racist”, “fascist” and even “Nazi” have been freely thrown about at each other without consideration of the full impact of the use of such words. The demonisation of the candidates by the opposing parties can only lead to the demeaning of the worth of the persons involved and contribute to further division within the society.
The Scriptures teach us that this is not the way to relate with one another in a community.
The apostle Peter commands us in clear and simple language to “show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).
Even if you fail to agree with someone else, you should still respect the truth that he or she is made in God’s image and greatly loved by him. The Lord Jesus has also given his life for that person. It is not right to demonise any person to the point of stripping him of his entire self-worth and dignity. That leads me to what I believe is most needed in our prayers for the US.
We need to pray for God’s conviction on the people of the country to treat each other civilly. This can only be done if they belong to God’s family and see each other as brothers and sisters. It simply means for us to pray earnestly that the gospel will be preached extensively and take root in the hearts of many in that country.
We also need to pray for peace in that nation and protection from conflict. The antipathy for the “other” candidate has grown to such a level that it is unlikely that any one side would accept the other as the president without a fight. Any candidate that takes up the presidency would mean the end of the world for the other party. It has become that serious. And people will risk everything if they feel that the world that they know and cherish is coming to an end.
So, what is important is not only what happens at the elections but what comes after. And may the Lord watch over USA throughout this period and after for the good of its people.
Blessings,
Revd Ian