Our Nation’s True Leader

Glenn McDonald
ZPC Senior Pastor

Our nation stands just days away from an election that is likely to have significant ramifications on our lives for years to come. This is a call to prayer for everyone as we contemplate the privilege of voting for our leaders, and as we seek God’s guidance for our country in the midst of this turbulent yet ultimately hopeful time.

Let’s begin by lifting up one of the most famous assurances from the Old Testament:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Those are God’s words to King Solomon. God’s national blessings are associated with four conditions: humility, prayer, seeking God’s face, and turning from wickedness. Solomon’s reign began as a brilliant display of all four. But his rule ended tragically. Solomon became accommodated to compromise and disobedience, and his own spiritual mediocrity doomed the nation of Israel. So let us pray for our leaders ­— all of our leaders, from all parties and backgrounds — that they may seek God’s truth, peace, and prevailing presence, both in private and in public.

Let’s pray that our fellow members of the Body of Christ will choose to be wise when they vote. Let’s refuse to give in to the spirit of the darkly negative ads that have characterized the last six weeks of this national campaign. Let’s pray that a spirit of fear and prejudice will not grip our nation; that people will be united to accomplish whatever is good, no matter who is elected. Yet let’s also pray boldly that God will defeat the plans of any candidates who have evil intentions if elected — candidates who would compromise the lives of the poor, tolerate injustice, or waste their windows of opportunity in trivial pursuits. In short, let’s pray that God blesses us with extraordinary men and women in this extraordinary time.

Above all, may this be our prayerful recollection:
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)

Our nation’s true leader (whether or not his authority is embraced or rejected) is Jesus, and we are citizens, first and foremost, of his kingdom. May our prayers, our trust, and our votes bring honor to him this week.