Daily Devotional for Tuesday November 4, 2008
It is Time to Pray
(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." 1 Timothy 2:1-2
It is time to pray! Today is the day that citizens of the United States go to the polls to elect our next President, as well as men and women for local, state, and national offices. It is a day for every follower of Jesus Christ to pray for God to allow those men and women who honor Him to rise to power. The Bible clearly tells us that it is God who allows men to rise to power, and God who takes men out of power.
This can be very difficult to understand when you look back over human history and see some of the monsters who have had earthly power. We will never fully understand why God allowed purely evil men like a Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, and Saddam Hussein to name a few, to rise to power. That is why we must pray for the Lord to elevate to power those who love Him and will honor Him as they govern the people.
The Bible also commands, not suggests, that we pray for those who are in authority. It is critical to remember that this passage of Scripture was wirtten during the time when Rome was in power, and the Caesars were killing Christians and trying to wipe out this new group of people who were followers of Jesus Christ.
I remember clearly early in my ministry reading this passage and coming under great conviction. President Clinton had just been elected to his first term, and I did not agree with most of his policies. However, he was the President and the Bible said that I was to pray for those in authority, so I began to incorporate into my daily prayer time, prayer for the President and other elected officials.
In addition to voting for the next President and those running for local, state, and national offices, there are several states who will be voting on the abortion and gay marriage issues. South Dakota and Colorado will vote to ban abortions. In South Dakota, they are making an exception for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. In Colorado, it is a ban on all abortions. God bless those in these states who have championed this cause, and we are praying for the citizens of those states to take a stand for life.
In Arizona, Florida, and California, their citizens will vote to amend their state constitutions to define marriage as between a man and a woman, ending gay marriage in those states. Again, we are praying for the citizens of these states to take a stand for God's Holy Institution of Marriage, a foundation of our society.
In my Devotional of October 16, 2007, I stated that 2008 was going to be the most important year in human history. Let me share with you some quotes from that Daily Devotional a little over one year ago:
"In just over a year we will elect our next President who will almost certainly, based on who currently has a legitimate chance at winning, will lead this nation deeper into the spiritual abyss we find ourselves in today."
"There most likely will not be anyone a Christian can vote for in 2008 who will stand for the God of the Bible and His Truth. But that is OK since it is going to force true Believers to realize that there is not going to be a political answer, only a SPIRITUAL ANSWER! 2008 will be a very serious time for Christians and this nation and it is only Christians who have the hope of saving this nation from God's coming wrath and judgment!"
"...the exciting thing I see coming out of this Presidential race is that it is finally going to force Christians to stop looking for spiritual leadership from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but from those men and women of God He raises up who won't sell out Christ for the temporal fame and fortune of this life, and who without compromise will lead this nation back to God and Biblical values!!!"
"This battle for our nation isn't going to be won at the ballot box but at the altar. The princes of this world will only lead the masses further from God and His Truth. It is the saints of God who cannot be bought and paid for, who without compromise will make the sacrifices to boldly lead this nation back to our Creator and to the values of His Word!"
"The world as we know it, life as we know it, is nearing an end. As the final days of human history unfold, people will either be on God's side or aligned with those who oppose God. Even now, we can already see that sharp divide occurring. This is why I am on you constantly about taking your stand for Christ. The battle lines are being drawn and it is time for you to decide whose side you are on. I echo the words of Elijah on Mt. Carmel, ""How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." Jesus said you can't serve two masters. It is time for you to decide!!!"
I love you and care about you so much. Today is a day of prayer my friend. We get on our knees, we fast, we seek the face of God to raise up men and women who love the Lord to serve in public office. We know that whoever is elected, God allowed that person to rise to power for a season, even though we may never understand why or His reason. We also have been commanded to pray for those in leadership, something all followers of Christ should do faithfully each day.
While today is a day of prayer, tomorrow will be a day of action. Please don't miss tomorrows Daily Devotional. The election will be over, the people will have spoken, and now it will be time for true followers of Jesus Christ to respond. Today is a day to get on our knees, on our faces before God, as we pray for those who will come into elected office.
Tomorrow it will be time to rise up, get on our feet, and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, get serious about boldly leading this nation back to God and Biblical Truth. As I stated last October, "It is only Christians who have the hope of saving this nation from God's coming wrath and judgment!"
In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ, Bill Keller