In case you haven’t heard, we are in the midst of an election year. There are many who know who they will vote for, many who don’t have a clue, and many who wouldn’t vote if their life depended on it. I get it … people are upset about what’s not being done in our country or what’s being done wrong (in their humble opinion)..
As a Christian, I feel it’s important to be involved in the public square. Personal faith played a huge role in the founding of this great country and continues to play an important role as we push forward. Unfortunately, many pastors and churches tell their congregants not to get involved in the public square. I have a problem with that; how are we to impact our culture if we can’t be the salt (to preserve) and light (to cast light in dark places) in our world today.
Oh, how far we have fallen away from the example of our founding fathers where they beseeched preachers to be the catalyst for the masses to make a stand and get involved. John Hancock implored us “not only to pray, but to act.”
Time and again, history gives us examples how faith played tremendously in changing the course of history. In 1786, William Wilberforce took his public involvement to heart as he fought against the slave trade in the British Empire. He wrote, “Let the consequences be what they would: I from this time determined that I would never rest until I had effected its absolution.” Wilberforce was attacked by pro-slavery forces from all sides and blocked from Parliament repeatedly. But his continued persistent endeavors led to the abolishing of the slave trade and slavery in the entire British Empire. Historian G.M. Trevelyan later called this, “one of the turning events in the history of the world.” This story illustrates that God can and does use Christians in politics for profound and transformational good.
Another example of how faith and prayer worked to change the course of history occurred in World War II. As I have stated in a recent article, Rees Howells was the founder of the Welsh Bible College. He believed in the power of prayer and began interceding on behalf of the Jews in Nazi Germany in 1934. When Hitler’s focus turned on Britain in 1940, very little stood in the way of the Nazi Regime. Never losing sight of the “Every Creature Vision,” Rees and the young people at the Bible College of Wales interceded for spiritual victory so that real battles on the ground could be won. They prayed round the clock. As news of Hitler’s advance came over the radio and in the newspapers each day, Rees and his company of intercessors would press even deeper into prayer for God’s purposes to prevail. Royal Air Force pilots were outnumbered four to one at the beginning of the Battle of Britain. By all accounts, it should have been a losing battle. However, when the Nazi advance was mysteriously turned away right when all hope seemed lost, Winston Churchill famously said of the small group of pilots who had maintained air supremacy: “Never has so much been owed by so many to so few.” Some would say it’s mere luck. I, as a Christian, say it was all God through the power of prayer.
One of the frequent misperceptions some Christians have is that all they need to do is elect Christians into office. Voting is vital, without a doubt, but it is just the start of our biblical responsibilities with respect to politics. As the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14), the flourishing of the world is, in part, our responsibility. Caring for our culture and taking it to the public square is our part of good citizenship to God’s people. The right to choose our leaders is something most people in the history of the world never get to do. Our founding fathers got it. Noah Webster said, “Let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God …. [I]f the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted … If [our] government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.”
All people of faith should vote, that’s an important first step. But they also need to engage with legislators, consider serving in public office, and intercede on behalf of those in authority. We are to influence (Articles 1 and 2 of the Constitution) by voting. Before we can choose wisely, though, we must know the principles by which to measure candidates, find good people with leadership skills and ask them to run; impact the political process by knocking on doors, making phone calls, and contributing. We must also (Article 3 of the Constitution) influence our Senators who approve our justices; get involved with the state judiciary; support legal organizations that hold our government accountable; and (Article 4 of the Constitution) must educate everyone of all ages how we are a republic, not a democracy. A democracy runs on passion; a republic runs on reason.
As I have aged, I see more clearly how important a citizen’s role is to be involved in our schools, local elections, state government, as well as on the federal level. Public education began in this country for the sole purpose of teaching children how to read so they could read Holy Scripture. Today faith has been removed from schools and the government is trying to further separate the public from their faith. Today families are faced with a government run amuck stripping parents of the ability to decide what’s best for their children’s education.
As this election cycle approaches, I encourage you to vote your values and by doing so becoming the salt and light to a dark world..
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com.
Tagged: American history, Christians in culture, elections and voting, prayer, world war II
