The Election’s Over. Now What?

The 2008 election is over, and a massive realignment of presidential priorities is coming. Obama supporters are exuberant while McCain enthusiasts are predictably less enthusiastic.

Harsh Obama critics need to apply the rules of gracious loss and basic sportsmanship. Bitterness or even hatred toward Obama is unbefitting any Christian. Similarly, racist attitudes are unacceptable. Barack Obama’s election defuses persistent accusations of overt racism in the U.S. The Jeremiah Wrights who damned America for its lack of opportunity for minorities are thereby silenced along with other accusations of racism by black Americans and foreign critics.

Black people may take pride in Obama’s ascendancy, which exemplifies an equality of opportunity so long sought. If a young black man, burdened with an absent father and separation from his mother and her premature death can rise from those bruises to run a nearly two-year campaign and emerge victorious in the presidential race, he is a man of huge accomplishment and enormous fortitude.

While it is true that many blacks voted on racial grounds and not a few whites cast sympathy votes or even voted out of guilt, the sovereignty of God in affirming our democratic choice is a comforting factor. Further, the Bible says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). We can celebrate Obama’s victory together with his supporters even while being saddened with others over some of the policies with which we disagree.

But the responsibility of Christians for political praying remains constant. Prior to the election, I discharged some of my civic and Christian responsibilities by presenting "America and Christian Responsibility" numerous times. It emphasizes the importance of voting in a presidential election. Without endorsing anyone, I outlined the issues at stake and urged people everywhere to vote. (This commentary may still be found on our website.)

When the voting was over, someone suggested that I do a program on our political responsibilities after the election. That’s a good idea since the spiritual responsibilities of believing Christians do not change with new administrations.

I’ll concentrate on one issue: prayer. The people for whom we pray may change, and new personnel and issues may arise, but the biblical commands for prayer are permanent. This includes winners and losers.

I Timothy 2:1-3 spells this out. "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."
Here are some specific areas for prayer:

Pray for the President-elect. Barack Obama comes to the presidency at a difficult and crucial time. The economic crisis is way beyond anyone’s natural ability to solve, and international relationships are complicated. Obama is reported to be considering using Presidential Executive Orders to immediately reverse several Bush policies including issues of stem cell research and oil drilling. Pray for his wisdom to be from God.

Pray for his early legislative direction. It is reported that a strong liberal trend in Congress would encourage the re-imposing of the Fairness Doctrine, which would chill conservative and religious broadcasting.

Pray for his advisors. Pray that he surrounds himself with some wise and spiritual people to give him proper insight.

Pray for his church selection and spiritual guidance. Obama resigned Jeremiah Wright’s church and will hopefully be looking for a new church in Washington, DC. Pray that he will receive sound spiritual guidance. Pray for his salvation if he is only a nominal Christian.

Pray for his safety. There are racist crazies who want to assassinate Obama. Such an event would bring commotion and conflict of enormous proportions.

Pray for his family. Pray for Michelle and for her spiritual life and safety as well. Pray for the family’s adjustment as they prepare to move to Washington as this can be very stressful for young children.

Pray for races still undecided or requiring a runoff. The exact balance of political power at this time is still unknown. Pray for ballots to be correctly counted and any fraud to be detected.

Pray for those who lost. The agony and personal stress of losing a national election is beyond words. Losers in the presidential, congressional and senate races are still people of great authority and influence and need our prayers. They are also policy makers and give important interviews, and some will be running again in the future.

If you prayed before the election, pray even harder now. As Paul put it in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Dave Virkler