During this Election Year

I sent in a lesson for Interlinc this week using a DVD from Drive Thru History that was about the founding of our country and God's faithfulness to the settlers of Plymouth. From what I saw this resource seemed to be more balanced than those that hold the America was and is a Christian Nation view.

Anyway, here's part of what I wrote and I thought it would be a good reminder for all of us, especially me, and I wrote it:

God was in control and sovereign when our country began and God is in control and sovereign in our country today. In this election year it's easy to focus on your candidate and all that you do not like about the other candidate. (Thank God you live in a country where you are allowed to do that. From the days of Noah till today, it's not as common as you might think.)

Whoever you support and whoever wins, as believers we should be praying for our leaders whether or not you support their views on the economy, taxes, war, drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) or their particular flavor of faith. We are commanded to pray for them. So begin praying today for the election and for both candidates.

Pray for five government officials. It'd be good if we all pray for the President. The remaining four you can figure out who you want to pray for. Maybe it's the vice president, maybe it's a member of the President's Cabinet, maybe it's your mayor, or maybe it's your school board chairperson.

Begin praying and rest that God is in control and we can always trust him even during and maybe especially during an election year.

Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

1 Timothy 2:1-2
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.