Election Eve 2

I sit here thousands of miles away from the USA on election eve 2008.  As an American, I must confess that I'm quite down because it seems the majority of American voters will vote (or have already voted in early voting) for the "change" Obama offers--though no one seems quite sure what that entails.  Some who apparently are thinking more clearly than others don't seem to think it entails anything good.

This is not simply another election.  I don't believe there has been another election this crucial in my lifetime . . . or my father's (who was born in 1924).  My opinion is that this is the BIG ONE, although, as Amos might say, "I am no prophet neither am I a prophet's son" (Amos 7:14).

I wonder how much we American Christians have truly sought the Lord's face about this election.  Big things, national things, global things, eternal things are in play.  I must say--not with pride but with shame--I am not the 1000th part of the man of prayer I should be.  A phrase from a song I hadn't sung for many years came to mind recently.  Part of one of the verses of Bill Harvey's "I Want that Mountain" goes thus: "I saw the Giant of Prayerlessness upon the mountain high; he laughed so hard at my unbended knee."  I wonder how much laughter is ringing up from the pits of hell at millions of unbended American Christian knees.

A few weeks ago, a weekly prayer meeting was set up for missionaries to gather to pray about the USA and the election.  I am not exaggerating when I say that participation was extremely low.  A missionary friend of mine made the observation (I'm paraphrasing) about how easy it is to get a group of missionaries to go golfing for 6 hours and that it was sad that it was so hard to get them together to pray.

"Lord, teach us to pray."

As I commented at the beginning of this post, as an American I'm gloomy about this election and the likelihood of Obama becoming our president.  As a Christian, however, I am quite optimistic.  Events are running right on God's eternal schedule.  Things are going as planned.  His hand is steady on the rudder.  Soon, we'll leave behind this land of our pilgrimage and dwell with our King and Father eternally.  "The kingdoms of this world [will soon] become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 11:15).  Amen!  Amen!  Amen!  "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).  Until then, may we be faithful, obedient and live for His glory.

Comments

[Bonise]

Thanks! I needed that. Bon

[Lynne Ninas]

Our Church had a 24 hour prayer vigil the day before the election. While I was praying, I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace that this election was in God's hand. I talked to others who had experienced the same thing. I don't know how it will end but if O'Bama wins I see persecution against Christians increasing exponentially. We had better learn to pray.