There is no Christian candidate in this presidential election. Though I personally cannot look past his poor moral character and inappropriate use of Holy Scripture and the Church, many faithful Christians will vote for Trump. Many faithful Christians will vote for Biden. Other faithful Christians will vote for the Solidarity Party or for other political parties.
The &Campaign points a way forward for faithful Christian political engagement in all areas of the political landscape. Christians are called to be witnesses of the True King and his Kingdom in all areas of life. Our identities should be in Christ and not political parties. Our words should point to the Living Word and not temporary dramas of the present political moment. The laws and government of Israel in the Old Testament guide us in what types of government and laws followers of the Living God should desire. Christians should not focus on single issues in our political engagement, but pragmatically balance the whole revelation of Scripture and the character of God made manifest in the Incarnation of God the Son in Jesus Christ.
In these final weeks of the American presidential election, I call all Christians to rise above the tribalism and name-calling. Step away from one-sided conversations in news and social media. Spend more time in prayer and in Scripture than you do on Fox News or CNN. Be more incensed about the lukewarmness of the Church and her lack of evangelism than you are about the nomination process for the Supreme Court.
Vote. Be engaged in the political process. But in all remember: Christ alone is king. Christ alone reigns. Christ alone sits enthroned on the right hand of God. Christ alone will return to establish his Kingdom.
Satan and his demons no doubt rejoice when the Bride of Christ is distracted from her task.
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide and direct, we humbly pray, the minds of all those who are called to elect fit persons to serve. Grant that in the exercise of our choice we may promote your glory, and the welfare of this nation. This we ask for the sake of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in thy Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
