Can you believe it? The election is next Tuesday.  Only 7 more days to go. It’s finally here.  It seems so surreal.  I remember back in January… of 2019, when the first Democrats began announcing their candidacy for president… all 28 of them.  I thought, “This is going to be a really long two years.”  Pam said to me, “Just wake me up when it’s over.” It has been long, in so many ways. Pick your adjective to describe the political environment in America over the past 24 months- brutal, vicious, nasty, bruising, savage.  And this, in ever increasing measure as we come down to the end.  And what end?  We may not know the results for a week, or two, or more.  Who knows?  We thought the election was the end, but what if it’s just the beginning?

You want to hear my adjective to describe the state we are in? “Disheartening.”  I have yet to meet a person who isn’t thoroughly disappointed, disgusted, and disillusioned with the lies, deceit, and malice of the political process on all sides- Republican, Democrat, mainstream media, liberals, conservatives; all of us.  As a nation, we have descended to the lowest common denominator while pointing the blame at “the other side.” Our politicians act like angry toddlers fighting over a toy. It’s shameful, but that’s the way the game is played. It’s winner take all, brute force, distort truth, bend rules, bludgeon the opponent.  Do whatever it takes to stay in or gain power. It’s the way the world operates, perhaps it always has.

There’s a word used in the Bible that describes this.  The Greek word is stoixeíon. And it means, a fundamental principle or basic operating system.  The world has a way of working, things it values, a basic framework of operation, and that is stoixeíon. And the Bible has strong warnings against Christians getting enticed or sucked into the way this world works.

Here are a few passages (emphasis mine):

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules. Colossians 2:20

But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Galatians 4:9

As Christians, we are to reject the stoixeíon of the world because our fundamental operating system is not power, but love.  We operate by the “basic principles” of Christ which are 180 degrees opposite of the way the world works.  And so, God consistently warns his children, “Don’t play their game.  Don’t let the world set the rules. Don’t get down in the mud.” But we have.

For everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16

Today (Wednesday) at Bethany, we’ve called for a day of prayer and fasting and set aside a special time of prayer this evening at the church.  Because, if you’re anything like me, you’ve spent WAY more time talking and griping and WAY more time reading and posting about the election and the state of our nation than actually praying.  So, we are taking an opportunity as a spiritual family to actually talk to our Father who is the Someone who can actually do something about the mess we are in.

I’m not a very good “fast-er”, or “pray-er” for that matter.  But for today, when I feel a twinge of hunger or a rumble in my stomach, I am reminding myself that “man doesn’t live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4) and that there are many issues facing us right now that are way more important than my own personal comfort. I want to make a difference.  I want God to be glorified, for our nation to repent, for justice to prevail and for the church to reclaim her witness in the world.  In light of the last two years, that’s a tall order.  But nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

Let’s pray.

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If you’d like to join us in prayer, right where you are.  Here are our prayer prompts for today.

Praying for the Election, Revival and National Unity

1. Pray that God would be glorified through the selection of our president, congress and state and local officials

Daniel 2:21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.

2. Pray that God would direct our leaders and that they would fear the Lord and be open to his counsel

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases

3. Pray that we will give over all fear and anxious thoughts to God

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4. Pray for national healing

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

5. Pray for safety and order in the election process and beyond

1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

6. Pray for people to return to the Lord

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He choose for His inheritance.