Election Day Evangelism
Honestly, I couldn't have made this up if I tried. Last night, after much thought and prayerful consideration, I made a decision to vote for a particular candidate for president. Afterward, I posted a widely distributed prayer that Ashley and I used last night to pray for our country. This morning, another prayer showed up in my inbox. I'm copying it below. Notice the differences between it and the prayer from last night. It presents some intriguing insights for Christians.

"Please pass this prayer on right now on behalf of John McCain. Please start prayer chains immediately for the election. This election can be turned around for the glory of God if we will stop worrying and get on our knees!!! How many people can you pass this on to??? Let us pray.

"Father, in the name of Jesus, we come to You right now asking for a miracle in this election. Lord, we lift up to You right now Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin. Lord, we ask that You would just wrap Your arms around them and their families at this critical time. Father, we ask for miracle upon miracle in this election. We know that only You can turn the tide of evil in this election. Father, as we await the final days of the election, we ask in complete faith that You would allow the truth to be known across this land.

"Lord, we ask for forgiveness for putting You last. Father, please heal our land and homes, allow us to have another chance to love You the way you should be loved. Lord, we ask specifically for John and Sarah’s health, wisdom, words, actions, and their campaign staff. Lord, we lift them all up to You now. Father, we also specifically ask for the voters in many states who are battleground states. Lord, please convict the hearts of voters in Florida, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia, Nevada, and Colorado.

"Father we beg for every electoral vote. Lord, we lift all of our needs up to You now. In the name of Jesus we claim victory in Your name. Lord, we pray for Your will to be done in a mighty way...we know that this election can and will glorify You! Father, place the man you would have to lead our country in a Christian way on November 4. We love You, Lord. We await Your holy miracles...

"In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

"Send this on to as many people as you can think of.....let it reach every corner of America. Get on your knees for this election....Pray for God to send a REVIVAL across this land. Christians, its time we get on our knees....talk to people, speak up....we've been silent too long."

I'm not sure that I need to explain anything, but for starters...who was it that decided God wants McCain to win? It has been quite a long time since I have been audacious enough to put words in God's mouth, or to pretend to know his ways.

Also, I wonder why this writer is praying for the swing state voters to be "convicted." Convicted for exercising their God-given right to vote for Obama? Things are getting hazy for me.

One final point: the prayer implores God to "place the man [God] would have to lead our country" in office. Embedded in a prayer for McCain's victory, this point can become problematic because if Obama wins, either the prayer was not heeded by God or Obama IS the man God appoints to lead our country. Interesting. Prayers like this one really scare me. We'll see what happens next.

Election Day Eve
The last two or three days have been refreshing for me spiritually and socially. On Sunday, Ashley and I babysat three kids all day long--an act that for "newlyweds" turns the whole world on its head. I was so tired on Sunday that I actually allowed myself to rest for a change. Our pastor provided an encouraging message on the significance of Tuesday's election...an event about which I had almost resigned myself to complacency. After much thoughtful consideration, research, and journaling (as well as watching another successful Steelers' Monday night game), I have finally decided who will receive my vote for the presidency tomorrow morning. I may share a little more about that decision later on, but for now, I'll only leave the prayer that Ashley and I shared tonight after all this soul-searching.

"Almighty God, who has 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 manners. 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 here out of many nations 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 which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."