Vote and Pray

Primary elections are often skipped by voters whose only political stimulus is a national or state-wide election—check out the pathetic primary voter turnouts and weep. However, primary elections are a serious and decisive winnowing process.

Casting a vote is rendering to Caesar what is his rightful due as Christ commanded in Luke 22:25. Caesar is the highest political authority. In America, "Caesar" is the Constitution, which gives ultimate government to its citizens. Let no one who fails to vote ever complain about mediocre government. He can only say, "We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us."

We should also be praying for the primary candidates since their campaigns are influential in themselves. I Timothy 2:1-5 says, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (emphasis mine) People in authority are these with special prominence and influence, and that would include not only current elected officials but those who seek higher office.

Prayer for those in "authority" would be for the candidates, and prayer for "all men" would be for the general electorate. We should be praying for the former to tell the truth about themselves and for the latter to act in spiritual wisdom.

It is important to note that Paul also places political praying in the context of evangelism. We should not merely check a candidate’s specific faith. We should also discern whether their views allow freedom of Gospel outreach.

If we vote, and a candidate not to our liking wins, at least we have fulfilled our responsibility. If we absent ourselves from voting, we remove our influence and someone wins by our default. As someone once said, "The most important thing we do is nothing!"

Dave Virkler