The Bible instructs us to pray for those who are in authority over us in the government, so we must also pray for the election by which those authorities are selected. The instructions of God’s Word for our prayer life are also an instructive guide on how we should vote in the election. Of course, these instructions were written in a time when the believer had no influence in the choice of their government. I am grateful to God that today we still have a choice in American democracy. However, a democracy is only a good form of government when the majority vote according to the principles of God’s Word. If the majority of the people are wrong, we will elect the wrong kind of government.
What kind of government does God want believers to pray for? In this post, I’m going to look at a passage that Paul wrote to a young pastor named Timothy.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone– for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
The first thing that we should pray for in our government is that “we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” The we referred to here is the church of true believers. Government should work so that Christians may live peaceful and quiet lives. The authorities must protect us from external and internal enemies who would disrupt the peace and quiet of our lives. The justice system and the economic system must be governed to bring about this end as well. The second part of the phrase says that believers must be allowed to live “in all godliness and holiness.” Government must not interfere with the lives of believers who are living according to the principles of God’s Word. Government should not interfere with the internal workings of the church nor restrict the freedom of speech of it’s leaders as it increasingly does in America. Governments and leaders who follow these principles and actively encourage the ministry of the church will be blessed as this pleases God.
The last sentence that Paul writes shows us why this is important. God “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” People who are not saved are living in a false delusion. It is only the saved that have the knowledge of the truth. When believers are allowed and encouraged to live peaceful and quiet lives by the government, then the church will grow as more people are saved. Salvation is the result that God is looking for. The expansion of the church is the result that Christians should be praying toward in every election.
Unfortunately, most people simply vote for whoever they think will personally give them the best economic benefit. One side believes that the government should give everyone all kinds of freebies and they think that they will gain more benefit than the taxes they pay. The other side believes that the government should cut taxes to the bone and in so doing, they believe that they will gain more benefit from managing their own money. Both sides are motivated by selfish greed. Christians should not align themselves with viewpoints cobbled together by unbelievers who don’t know the truth. As believers, we must align ourselves with the principles of God’s Word.
Believers need to ask the question, “Which nominee will better allow the church to grow by more people being saved?” Pray that the authorities elected will allow the church to grow unimpeded, that’s why America was founded. Vote for the nominee that will best govern by biblical principles that favor the church. What about the many unbelievers in America? The best hope, the only hope for unbelievers in America, is that the church of Jesus Christ reach them with the message of salvation. Pray that in this election, a President and Congress will be elected that will allow more people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.