The United States Presidential election season is not only upon us; it’s in full swing through every state and territory where citizens can legally vote. A huge voting block is comprised of Christians, and the candidates will vie for our support and endorsements. Differences aside, and no matter which election season we face, how should we pray for the “other guy” — the candidate we choose not to support?
Even within our faith, differences between denominations amass over issues that for some will prevent them from voting for a particular person. Whether single-issue or “whole package” voters, as Christians, it’s our privilege to cast a vote based on how our faith leads us.
However, we need to be careful to refrain from heated discussions with people who have opposing views. The Bible tells us to, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (Philippians 4:5). The passage continues by telling Christians the Lord is at hand and His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). As we interact with other voters and discover differences in values, we are to pray in our hearts and with other believers with thankfulness to the Lord, and be peaceable.
The other person, whether Christian or not, will see our behavior and remember our actions. The best outcome? They will glorify God because of us (Galatians 1:24).
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Every candidate — no matter what party, whether male or female, believer or unbeliever — needs the prayers of the faithful followers of Christ (James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12). The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 13:1-7 that every person is to be subject to governing authorities, “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Within the passage of Romans 13:1-7, Scripture calls civic authorities God’s “servants” and “ministers.” God is the One who “removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21), therefore, when we pray for those who may be governing us, we are, in effect, exalting the Lord for His sovereignty. God will use whomever He wills (believer and unbeliever) for His perfect plan and purpose as He “hardens whomever He wills (Romans 9:18b).
Look at what the Apostle Paul writes with this summation of God’s providential purposes:
“What if God, desiring to show His wrath and to make known His power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory” (Romans 9:22-23).
We should not despair when the candidate of our choice is not elected to office. What may look like a very bad choice made by the people is ultimately governed by our Supreme Authority, the Most High God (Daniel 4:17). Whether Christian or not, our governmental authorities are not infallible. Yet the Lord God who places them in their offices is infallible and holy, and for Christians, in God we truly trust.
The candidates we will vote for or against are vying for a role instituted by God; our prayers will exalt the Lord for His goodness in instituting these positions to keep and oversee the peace of our nation.
Therefore, it behooves us to pray for those the Lord has and will place in civil authority over us. We are to pray 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” (1 Timothy 2:2-4).
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Christians cannot be spectators only. Our role as Christians in politics is to obey the Lord and subject ourselves to the authorities God has placed over us. We owe our loyalty first to the Lord and we are to reflect His image to a lost and dying world.
What can we do? As kingdom dwellers here on earth, we can do much, starting with prayer. Learn what you can about the candidates. Then pray some more and vote according to who you are in Christ and how His Spirit leads you through His Word. Remember, no matter who is in office and no matter what laws are enacted, “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
Following are prayers for the candidate we choose not to support:
Father God,
I pray for this candidate today, that you will give him or her wisdom as they run for office. As the candidate selects their running mate, and maybe has to replace members of his or her staff or choose where to go and to whom they will speak, give them wisdom from above, since they will be the leader of this nation. Give the candidate wisdom to understand all the many issues and facts that are presented to them. And help them decide on the best way to move forward — the best way to govern with a keen eye for trouble and a compassionate heart for the citizens over which they have authority. Help the candidate to know what is best for the people and for the nation.
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Lord,
May this candidate gain the honest favor and trust of advisers who do not walk partisan lines, but instead, will seek the best for the people of the nation. Help the candidate with clarity of mind and focus as they choose who will “run” the country with them. If this candidate does not win the election, may their advisors give the best counsel to lose graciously, and offer to help heal any wounds inflicted during any contentious debates or actions that occurred during their candidacy.
Father God,
Those who love the Lord Jesus best understand His grace. I pray You will immerse the candidate with gracious behavior as he or she runs for office. Things can get very heated when candidates square off on different issues. I pray You will supernaturally intercede and bring solid Christians alongside the candidate to show them what active grace looks like.
Father in heaven,
It’s so easy to get caught up in ourselves and what we want. I pray You will keep the candidate from overwhelming pride that gets them to the point where they might say “it’s my way or nothing.” Keep him or her humble and open to reason and grace. If he or she wins the election, please see that they accept the office with great humility and with a heart to serve others and not themselves.
Lord God,
The candidate may be asked a question where they are hit with an opportunity to lie to protect their reputation or even their chance at becoming president. If they reach that point, please intercede and cause them to stay truthful, no matter the cost. I pray for complete honesty from this candidate, because if he or she wins, we must come to trust them as placed in office by You, Lord. We trust You first and foremost, but please give us reasons to trust the candidate as well.
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Lord,
It’s a scary thing to see the candidates on stages and greeting people all over the nation, because at any moment a harmful person could try to attack them. It does not matter whether I support this candidate; what matters is Your plans and purposes. I pray part of Your purpose is to keep this candidate safe as they display what freedom to vote means to the world. Use it to show the nations where freedom is restricted that freedom is good.
Father,
As the candidate goes seemingly non-stop throughout the country seeking positive voters and making many promises, their health may falter from such a demanding schedule. Please help them to get through it with energy and good health. Keep them from sickness and disease as they seek office, so the election will be fair and as impartial as possible.
O Lord God,
What I pray for most of all is the salvation of the candidate. So many before have claimed to be Christian who are not. Expose any hypocrisy and bring this candidate to a true and saving knowledge of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. I pray You will call the candidate to Yourself and he or she will repent in faith and surrender to Jesus Christ. Bring true, biblical Christians alongside the candidate to counsel, pray for, and comfort him or her with Scripture for every moment.
All these things I pray in the magnificent and holy name of Christ. Amen.
Lord,
Help us to be the people You’ve created us to be. Help us to reflect You and glorify You in all we are and do. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, give us wisdom to discern how to vote and how to counsel others.
For it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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