My wife often proclaims, “We are not red people or blue people, we are God’s people!” These days, when she starts this sentence from the pulpit, her congregation recites it with her. It’s their mantra in this extra-divisive and unsettling presidential election year. It’s a reminder that when the dust of the election settles, we still have God’s work to do. Welcoming the immigrant, feeding the hungry, and visiting the prisoner will go on no matter who is in the White House. It’s a reminder that whatever we are doing in God’s name, our call is to wrap it all in prayer.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NRSV)
“Really? Do I have to pray for those people?” I sulk whenever I stumble across this passage from 1 Timothy. But this time, after my initial sulking, I used the reading as an opportunity to practice being neither red nor blue, but God’s. I slowed down. I read it again. I got curious.
Now I wonder if maybe Timothy means the same thing as my wife’s congregation when they call out that they are God’s people. Praying for our nation’s leaders, whoever they may be, is our way to give them to God to manage. If we do that, maybe we can peaceably, with godliness and dignity, go about the work of kin-dom building that God has given us to do.
Prayer
Almighty God, your reign is bigger than this election or any election. Guide us to prayer and to the path you have forged for us to follow, no matter who is in charge. Amen.
About the Author
Rev. Jennifer Garrison (formerly Brownell) is a writer, spiritual director and pastor living in the Pacific Northwest. Her published work most recently appeared in the book The Words of Her Mouth: Psalms for the Struggle, available from The Pilgrim Press.