Regardless of your political leanings, you may view Election Day with a mix of emotions. Maybe some combination of optimism, dread, futility, determination and anger. But have you ever considered it as an opportunity for prayer?
No, seriously.
I don’t think I have ever missed a chance to vote, but I often step into the voting booth feeling unprepared and maybe a little sheepish. Don’t get me wrong; I spend time reading about and listening to various viewpoints and trying to be informed about the candidates and issues appearing on the ballot, and I don’t cast a vote if I am not confident about the candidate or initiative I’m pulling the lever for. But sometimes I feel badly about skipping some items on the ballot, you know?
This year, though, prayer may change that.
Today, I plan to do more than vote. I want to use my time while waiting to vote and after voting in prayer. I plan to:
1) Thank God for the privilege of voting.
2) Ask Him to guide my decision, use my efforts to be informed, and even make up for where my efforts have fallen short.
3) Pray for every candidate (Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green, you name it), that God will draw that man or woman closer to Him, bless them for having participated in the democratic process, and work His good and perfect and pleasing will in and through (and if necessary in spite of) them.
4) Pray for the millions of people around the world who don’t enjoy the privilege and blessing of voting in honest and open elections and use my “I voted!” sticker as a reminder through the day to continue in prayer for all these things.
If I were a better citizen, I would have been combining voting and prayer all along, every time, through the years. But at least I’m learning. And praying. And voting.
I hope you are, too.
