Faith & Insight: Vote and keep praying after election day

Proverbs 29:2: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when wicked people rule, the people groan.”

We’re approaching election day in the United States. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, those who vote will be selecting the people who will serve “in authority” as elected officials, from the national level to local offices.

We’ve been praying and continue to pray all those who will be elected will be people who are “righteous” — (virtuous, moral, good, just, blameless, upright, honorable, honest, respectable, decent) and who walk with and seek God.

A question you can ask yourself ... Do I want the “righteous” in authority? If your answer is yes, then I believe there are two basic things to be done —

1. Continue to pray — 1 Timothy 2:1-2: “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.”

2. Vote — Romans 13:1: “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

Ultimately God is the one who “appoints” authorities. These scriptures clearly direct us to pray and seek God for righteous leadership. The “walking out” of our prayers involves exercising our privilege and responsibility to vote as God directs us. It may help to think of it as a “faith and works” type issue ... we believe God’s word is true and we pray, yet if we don’t vote the “outworking” of our faith is stifled, at least as it applies to our individual life and responsibility.

I encourage you to pray ... vote on Tuesday the 8th, and continue to pray after Tuesday.