It’s one of my favorite times of year ~ Election Season. I have long been a bit of a policy wonk, and the closer Election Day gets, the more I pay attention. For the past six years I have attended an evening Bible study that met on Tuesday nights, so I could only wonder what was happening, until I got home to turn on the TV.
Nope; don’t have a smart phone to check on that sort of thing. But even if I did, I wouldn’t want to take my mind off of Bible study to check election results!
But this year, I’m attending a daytime study, which means next Tuesday evening, I get to be at home with my television. Even without a presidential election going on, there is much that’s interesting. Not just the races in my own backyard and state, but senatorial and gubernatorial. I’ve been following the candidates and their principles, and of course I have my own preferences, especially when it comes to senators, since that changes the balance of power for the whole country.
And I’m reminded, as I read Paul’s letter to Timothy, of the importance of prayer for those in positions of power. Paul says, in chapter 2 verse 1: “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…”
Casting a pretty wide net, isn’t he? All men, and all who are in authority? And this is a man who’d spent a fair amount of time being persecuted in various ways, and in prison for his words and his beliefs. He couldn’t possibly agree with, or support all of those who were in authority, and yet he instructs us not only to pray, but also to give thanks.
It’s not easy, especially when we disagree with the politics of those in authority, or when they have what we consider (or what God considers) to be severe character flaws. Of course, that should make prayer even more imperative…
My family won’t want to watch non-stop election coverage next Tuesday evening, so I’ll just be checking in with the news every now and then. Might not be a bad idea to pray on that schedule, too. Every now and then… for wisdom and discernment, and “Thy will be done.”
Light Expectations 