Sunday, October 20, 2024 AM
PRAYER & FASTING: Praying & Fasting for the 2024 Election
Mike Teel, Pastor
FOCAL PASSAGE:
13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. —II Chronicles 7:13-14
WHY WE
TO VOTE!
1.
AND POLITICS DON’T MIX
–I believe if you research the Bible, you will find that at its origin religion and politics have the same source.
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. —Romans 13:1
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. —I Peter 2:13-14
2. WE ARE
TO VOTE
–Since God is the source of all governments, then I feel strongly that those of us who are of the family of faith should lead the way by voting and voting with the conscience of God.
–In America we’ve been often reminded that our votes can be more important than we might suspect.
–Back in 1984, the Californian Secretary of State compiled this list:
-In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England.
-In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.
-In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.
-In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.
-In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson form impeachment.
-In 1876, on vote gave Rutherford B. Hays the presidency of the U.S.
-In 1933, one vote gave Adolph Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.
-In 1960, one vote changed in each precinct in Illinois that would have denied John F Kennedy the presidency.
–If you are not registered to vote – get registered!
TO VOTE
–In the next 17 days we are asking you to spend time daily praying for and seeking God’s direction about the elections.
–Ask God to pour out His mercy and grace on our hurting country today. II Chronicles 7:13-14.
HOW WE SHOULD VOTE?
–So, how should we determine who merits our vote.
–You must do your homework, and you must determine who best represents the values of Scripture.
–Allow me to suggest some criteria for you to consider:
1.
–Everything begins with character.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. —Proverbs 29:2
–We as Christians should take a political candidate’s private conduct seriously.
–Character is defined as “who you are when no one’s looking.”
2.
1 The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. —Proverbs 28:1
–We need to elect lions and lionesses in this day—people who are not politicians but people who are statesmen, people who are leaders.
–People with convictions and that conviction must be based upon God’s Word.
3.
–Does this candidate display courage?
–Can you look at this candidate’s life and say, “You know what? They stood up for courage there. When no one else stood they stood for what was right.”
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. —Proverbs 11:3
–Courage is the God-given ability to stand … Conviction is belief. Courage is behavior.
–Most candidates want to drift to the middle of the stream – relativism. Which says this: What is right for you is true for you and what’s true for you is right for you. No absolutes.
4.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. —Proverbs 31:8-9
–This not only speaks again to the issue of abortion but what about those who are underage and have no say in what is legal concerning their lives.
–We need someone who will stand up for those who do not have a voice and protect them.
–Does the candidate have compassion for those who have no voice?
5.
–Examining who supports and opposes the candidate can often help us determine who to support.
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” —I Corinthians 15:33
17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” —II Corinthians 6:17
–I pray you will spend the next 40 days praying & fasting for our country and its election.
–Remember whoever is elected will be our president and it is our duty to pray for them.
LIVE IT OUT
Will you commit to pray and fast for the next 17 days for the 2024 election?
Will you research your candidates and compare them to the standard set by Scripture?
If you are not a believer, would you like to become one?