Voting Isn’t Everything

I sat in a congregation where the pastor gave us a laugh after he urged every one of us to vote.

He cited Ecclesiastes 10:2 as a motivation:

“A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.” —Ecclesiastes 10:2

And while we all appreciated his wit, we also understood the significance of our responsibility to vote.

In addition, the Bible gives us another duty, just as significant—perhaps more so—that works in tandem with our voting card:

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

We should pray for the election.

We should pray that the effects of our president’s administration would allow us to “lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” Or to paraphrase Paul’s words, pray that political laws and circumstances may be favorable for the message of the gospel and for the living of its commands.

Our temptation after we vote—especially after the election—will be to return to business as usual. But even after our votes are cast and counted, our responsibility to pray for our government remains a regular part of our lives as Christians.

As Americans, we should vote. But voting isn’t everything. As Christians, we should pray. These work in tandem.