Vote With Your Knees

When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning (Jn. 15:26-27).

The other day, I read an article that spoke to the subtlety of the Enemy's tactics. This one had to do with religious persecution. The article was about a public college in California. Apparently, a student went to see one of her professors about an assignment. When the student arrived at the professor’s office, she noticed that the teacher wasn’t feeling well, and asked if she could pray over her. The professor consented.

While the student was praying, a staff member happened to walk down the hall and noticed what was happening in the professor’s office. He blurted out, “This is a public college. You can’t do that here!” Mind you, the student had asked permission and the professor had consented. The prayer was happening in the professor’s office in private, not out on the football field. The staff member took action and sought to have the student expelled. Expelled for praying! What is this world coming to when high priced attorneys defend the right to post all manner of smut on the internet, calling it freedom of speech, but yet, a simple prayer offered out of the kindness of a young’s person’s heart is somehow threatening to our way of life? Lord, have mercy!

I cannot help but be reminded the 19th chapter of Luke, where Jesus weeps for Jerusalem. I am sure He is weeping over America too. If this day you only knew what makes for peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes (Lk. 19:42). Our religious leaders have been warning us for years about the moral slippery slope we’ve been on. I don’t know how it is in other states, but there are a couple of measures on the ballot here in California that directly address moral issues. One in particular, if not passed, would make it virtually illegal for parents to teach their children in opposition to what may soon be taught in public schools regarding marriage. In addition, churches could lose their non profit status and commensurate tax exemptions if their clergy preach against the norms of today’s culture. It's not out of the realm of possibility and it is scary!

We have an opportunity and an obligation in the upcoming election to testify to the Truth that has been revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. I’m certainly not one to tell another person how to vote. The only thing I will advise is to vote with your knees. Regardless of the outcome of the election or any specific ballot measure, we are accountable to the Lord and to one another, as Jen so eloquently pointed out in her blog the other day. God knows what is in our hearts as we cast our ballots. How we vote has eternal consequences for each of us. For the Son of Man will come with His angels in His Father’s glory, and then He will repay everyone according to his conduct (Mt. 16:27).

Prayer Request: That the Spirit of God that hovered over the waters of creation will be poured out anew on our country as we embark on the coming election.

Prayer: O Lord, our hope and our sure help, send out your Holy Spirit anew and fill our citizens with your gifts of wisdom and understanding and fear of the Lord. Help us to vote not just for ourselves, but for the good of all Your children. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.