Right now we are in the middle of one of the most crazy, controversial, divided elections America has probably ever had. I don't know, maybe there has been others as well. I'm not a very politically involved person. This is the first election in my near 30 years that I have ever listened to the conventions and debates. I could go into details why, but that's not the point of this blog.
As a mother to four, very young, impressionable children, and knowing how the world is today, I have a major concern on where this world is and where we are headed. I mean, it's a mess out there! And this election is pretty messed up too! I don't think there are many people who are completely satisfied with their presidential pick. It's sort of like having to pick between walking on fire or walking on shards of glass. Both are pretty bad. There is a third party too, that many are talking about these days, but I have to be honest. I don't know anything about him and I am just now doing research.
But something I believe in is prayer. I can't tell you how many times I have prayed for the leaders of our nation and the potential leaders that will be appointed in the next few months.
I titled this blog post, "How I Support Both Parties," because I honestly do support them. Hold onto your britches! I think you'll agree with me, if you'll continue to read!
I pray for both of them. I pray for Hillary. I pray for Donald. I pray for them. That is how I support them.
I guess you could say that I am sort of a radicalist. Is that even a word? I am radical. Maybe it's because of the way I was raised. Maybe it's because I believe in a God of miracles. Maybe it's because I know that there is nothing I can do to change what happens (besides doing my civil duty and voting). What will be, will be. So if Donald gets into office, I think we should be backing him in prayer. If Hillary is elected, then let's back her in prayer.
Personally, I have been saddened by the many comments from people on the News Facebook pages, and other social media websites calling Hillary, "Killary" and things of that sort. She is a woman in leadership and we are told by God to respect those in authority. It doesn't state to only support those who we agree with or that are moral, etc. In fact, that is why we pay taxes! God says to "render unto Ceasar what belongs to him and to God, what belongs to God." (Mark 12:17) But also in Roman's, it speaks of the same thing. Except it goes even further to say that the authorities are there, appointed by God. They are to be honored. It doesn't matter if they're Christian, or their morals are in line with the Word of God. It says nothing about that. It just states, plain and simple that we are to honor those in authority.
I think many would like to argue that we don't need to honor a person that is so hostile to what God says to do. But let me delve deeper into this. I think there is something to be discovered in this, just because I was questioning the same thing and God took me on a journey. Please bear with me.
Ephesians 6: 1-2 says, "Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long and that it may go well with you."
Ok. So what does this have to do with electing a president and honoring them with our words and actions? I believe God showed me something that helped me understand why He requires us to honor leadership, no matter who they are or what they believe. When Paul was speaking to the Ephesians, He never said to the children that they should only honor the parents that honored and loved God. It is just something that children should do. Should they support abuse if their parents were abusive? No. But there is a way to honor those parents who are abusive and still separate yourselves from them in a godly manner. Like, for instance, not cursing them, not calling them names, not announcing to the world your complete disdain for them, etc.
Romans 13: 1-7 says, "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
I believe that God wants us to be honoring and respectful to these people who are in leadership; the POTUS, FLOTUS, Senators, Congressmen, Police Officers, Firemen, etc. They're all in a place of authority and we all owe them respect.
Now, to the point of this blog, about how I support the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Like said above, I pray a lot for them and I am committing to pray a ton more for them. I remember this one day that I was reading along on Facebook and came across a friend's post where they were saying something about not supporting or praying for a certain leader in the government. I remember their post just didn't resonate with me very well and but I didn't have a Biblically based response, so I went on the hunt to find scriptures that would back up what I was feeling. Of course, going into it, I wasn't sure if I'd actually find scriptures. But I was certainly going to see if I could find out what God's heart was for it. Here is what I found!
1 Timothy 2: 1-4 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
1st Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Daniel 2: 20-23 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.”
Psalm 22: 28 For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.
Job 12: 23-25 He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless waste. They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.
Titus 3: 1-2 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
There are many other scriptures I could post here, but I will leave you with this little bit to munch on. I know I had to munch on these for a while. So, let me tell you a tiny bit more about my thought process with this. I grew up in a religious sect that had some men who abused their leadership over me and my family. It made things very difficult for us, me, for several years. I missed out on over four years of my middle teen years due to their "power trip" that they exerted over my family. I have struggled for years to not feel a deep rooted anger at them. None of it every made sense and to this day, I still don't understand why they did what they did. It's just one of those things I'll never understand until the day I die and face God. Of course, once I get to heaven and see Jesus' beautiful, wonderful, awesome face, none of this past stuff will matter. But that's besides the point. When I started this search on what God wanted from me and how He wanted me to treat our governing leaders of this nation, He took me on a journey with my own heart and issues.
I'm human. I have done a lot of things I'm not proud of. I have said things and done things that aren't "Christian." So, since God was taking me on a journey in my own heart with my own issues with the leadership that was directly over my life for a few years, He began to show me how He wanted me to treat them. He spoke to me that I am to honor them, respect them and pray for them. Has it been easy for me? Not always. I haven't always wanted to pray for them and ask God to bless them, lead them, guide them and give them peace. But you know what? It's what He wants. And you want to know something else? Every single time I pray blessings on them, I myself feel better and lifted up. I feel blessed. Amazing right?!
So I think God wants us to do the same thing with Hillary and Donald. He wants us to raise them up in prayer. He wants us to ask blessings, guidance, wisdom and peace on them. He is the One Who leads their hearts. He is the One Who appoints the leaders. Those scriptures aren't just for the Old Days. They aren't just for "those people back then." His Word is here to give us guidance today. He gave us His Word to give us a path to follow. I believe His Word was very clear on how we are supposed to treat our leadership, including the President of the United States and those who will potentially take that office.
Besides, praying for them will bless us because we will be doing what God asks. We don't have to agree with them. We don't have to think that they're the best leaders ever! We don't have to support their campaign or vote for them. But we do have an obligation as followers of Jesus to obey His word, and pray for our leaders. Let's support both parties in prayer. Let's see what God can do with a people that are willing to do the daring and believe for the impossible! Why not pray for the conversion of Hillary and Donald? Why not pray for a movement of God upon their hearts? If God can rescue me and change my heart, then I know anyone can be rescued and changed!
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