Dear Friends in Faith,
You will probably receive this shortly before election day. The most “non-partisan” thing anyone could possibly say this month is that it has been an unusual election cycle. You would have been working hard not to pay attention if you don’t agree with that!
I can’t and wouldn’t presume to tell you HOW to vote. However, I can and will encourage you TO VOTE! The Bible repeatedly encourages Christians to be good citizens.
Voting is one of the most important ways Americans can be involved in our representative democracy. Through the simple act of casting an informed vote, we have the opportunity and responsibility to help make decisions that will affect our lives and the lives of our families for the next two to eight years.
Here is the other thing that I can and will do: I will remind you that our Christian faith compels us to attend to the world through the lens of our relationship to God and to one another. Lutherans believe that governments are accountable to God and to their citizens for two things: to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just social order in a sinful world.
I recently heard a preacher from a much more fundamentalist part of the church than Faith Lutheran belongs to say: “Remember that on November 9th, when the election is all over, God will still be God and Jesus will still be our king.” I’ll bet that if I had a chance to sit down over lunch with that brother in Christ we would find much we disagree about this election season. However, I agree with what he said 100%!
Do these things this November:
- Pray for our country. You might pray: “Your will be done”!
- Pray and meditate, asking God’s guidance for your vote.
- Be open and careful about listening for God’s answer.
- Be kind, respectful, and honorable in any political discussion you engage in; remembering Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
- VOTE
- On evening of November 8th, after you have watched the election results, when you go to bed: Make the sign of the cross and say: “God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, watch over us all. Help our newly elected leaders serve all people. Give us good and just government.
- Then go to sleep in peace and confidence. God will be continuing on for another term!
Peace,
Pr. Bob Moberg
Read more from about the life of Faith in the November newsletter, check out previous newsletters, or view our calendars to learn more about Faith.