My Prayer For November 4th: The Day After

There is a lot going on right now am I right? Political discord, educational upheaval, environmental destruction, a certain corona virus! It feels like chaos every time I turn on the news. There has been a lot going on with me personally as well that I haven’t shared much about in public. Parallel to the outbreak of covid-19 my own health took a drastic downward spiral, the aftermath of which I am still sorting out.

At the climax of my sickness, I sat in the hospital bed last May trying hard to fight off the surmounting fear that was quickly building. Destructive anxieties were consuming my thoughts, “what was wrong with me?”, “how would I pay for these bills?” “Would I even make it through the night?” In the midst of that experience, the Lord kept me calm. He sent kind nurses to make me laugh and care for me, He gave me a treasure of a roommate I could pray with, and He ended up miraculously covering the bills of my entire hospital stay (that’s a story for another time).

Being faced with my mortality so abruptly reminded me of how much I still want to accomplish while living on this earth. It struck within me an urgency to be more intentional with giving God my talents, time and treasure to accomplish His purpose. Seeing the Lord provide for me in a way that I couldn’t grasp with my human mind also gave me an indescribable confidence that He works all things for His good and glory. How little I had truly trusted Him.

That is why in the midst of this upcoming election I feel complete peace. I want to share that peace with you today.

As an easy-going person there are very few things that really bring out a passionate response in me. Yet there are still a few things that stir even me up; such as Jesus and teaching people what it means to worship and follow Him. I can’t stand the enemy and watching people struggling from his deceit. When I see a person crumbling under the weight of his lies a fire burns within me and I am transformed into a loud and zealous preacher!

I also love my country and all of the freedoms and diversity it has to offer. From my time living overseas my appreciation for the unique culture and ample opportunity we possess has grown and to see people act in a way that is entitled and ungrateful is extremely frustrating to me. There is so much in this life we take for granted every day. When I hear people complaining about our country, even I feel my easy going self becoming not so easy going. 

Although I would tell you I live in the best country in the world and I am grateful the Lord has placed me here, I am not at all passionate about politics.

I have good Christian friends on both sides of the political coin, and I admire and respect each of them. I try to ask questions to better understand where they are coming from, but I know the reality that many families and relationships have been broken up over conversations like these, so I tend to tread lightly, (unless it is my mom, we are pretty candid with one another haha!). 

Here’s what I have come to realize. All over the United States there are registered democrats, independents and republicans praying for God to come through in this election. With the social climate being as destructive and divisive as the environmental climate currently is, people seem to be on edge more so than ever before regarding who the next president will be. This is something I celebrate, people are nearing to God in this! However, there is a fine line between petitioning and downright panic, and I feel the latter has overtaken the majority of us.

I believe we as Christians have an incredible opportunity here. On Nov 3rd one man will be elected the next president, and we have a choice of how we can respond. Whoever wins, remember that about half of the population will be devastated, angry, frustrated and fearful. Each side genuinely believes their choice offers us our country’s best chance. Remember that! Each side has really good, educated, followers of Jesus on it.

So what to do with this? Let me share with you what has been so heavy on my heart. 

On Nov 4th I ask that if your party wins, you show grace and humility. You show kindness and compassion. You refrain from gloating about it to anyone, but especially those you know will be hurting. 

If your party loses, I ask that you show grace and humility. You show kindness and peace. You refrain from speaking negatively about it to anyone, but especially those you know will be celebrating. 

Remember that whoever is placed in that office, will not be placed there by the voters of this nation, he will be placed there by God. 

We can rest in the assurance that if this individual makes great decisions for our country, this is the will of God and He is good.

If however, this individual makes poor decisions for our country, this was also the will of our God and He is still good. 

On November 4th, let our prayers be for our president. Let us come around him in solidarity and protect him with a wall of praise to our Father in heaven. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters, family members and friends. Let us come together in unity as THE CHURCH. Let us be an example to the rest of the world of what it looks like to stand together, not in uniformity, but IN UNITY! For no matter what happens, we know who is reigning. We can trust in who our God is and that He works all things for the good of those who love Him.

As I sat in that hospital bed last May, I knew that if it was my time, God had ordained it. If my life continued on, it would be by the work of God, not the doctors, that determined that. In the same way I rest assured knowing that the president of the United States does not hold my future. MY FUTURE is held by Christ Alone and I will not yield to the enemies tactics to spread fear, panic and hatred for the people around me.

Thank you Lord, you are truly King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End. You are in control, and I am choosing to put my faith and trust in You.

Will you join me in praying, not only for Nov 3rd, but for the day after? That is a day, I truly believe, God has given His church an easy opportunity to point people directly to Him. And isn’t that the whole point?