During a recent morning worship service at our church, we sang Charles Wesley’s hymn “Rejoice, the Lord Is King.” Its words struck me as a timely reminder: Whatever the struggles of our generation, the faults and foibles of our leaders, our hopes for particular candidates, or the outcome of next month’s election, we have every reason to rejoice. “Jesus, the Savior, reigns.”

The third stanza offers this stirring hope: “His kingdom cannot fail; He rules o’er earth and heav’n.”

The truth that the Kingdom of God will endure is basic to the Christian faith. That His Kingdom will not merely survive; it will stand against every attack from within and without. From this side of eternity, it may seem that we are losing ground in our culture, but we need to remind ourselves repeatedly that the Lord who triumphed over the grave will emerge victorious over all His enemies. (Matthew 16:18)

That truth should help us fix our eyes on Christ, whose kingdom cannot fail, rather than on our circumstances. Wesley’s hymn returns again and again to the same invitation. Its refrain calls out: “Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice, again I say, rejoice!” Wesley invites us to praise God for who Christ is and what He has done, even in the midst of our challenges. He wins in the end! The Apostle Paul realized that truth and calls us to do the same in Philippians 4:4:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

Our call to rejoice does not depend on our circumstances. It rests on the promises of God and the goodness of Christ Himself. Therefore, in prayer, “let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE TO GOD:

• For separating the wolves from the sheep and that despite the turmoil in the world and the adverse influences of godless socialists and humanists here in the U.S., we have an unshakable hope and a secure future in Jesus Christ.

• For His coming Kingdom — that He will redeem the world and that every knee will bow to the King of kings. Amen!

• For His willingness to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all our unrighteousness when we turn to Him in repentance. (1 John 1:9)

• For giving us hope and preparing a place for us that our minds can’t imagine. (1 Peter 1:3; John 14:2-3)

• For those who are standing and speaking boldly for faith, the sanctity of human life, family, and freedom.

PLEASE PRAY:

We not only need to vote this election season, but we must pray fervently for our current officials. This is not an option, suggestion, or recommendation but a command. God used Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to tell us,

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made 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.”

It is far too easy to air our criticisms on social media. We must turn our concerns into appeals to heaven. God has the power to change circumstances and turn the hearts of our leaders (Proverbs 21:1).

• Please pray for everyone seeking office, that they would act with integrity, humility, and a desire to serve the common good.

• Please pray that pastors and church leaders will teach biblical truth about our duty as Christian citizens and that we will fulfill our civic responsibilities with conviction and grace.

• Pray that citizens would seek the truth and examine candidates carefully.

• Pray that Christians would vote with discernment, loving their neighbors as themselves and overcoming evil with good (Mark 12:31; Romans 12:21).

• Please pray for current officials, especially those whose decisions affect families, preborn lives, the vulnerable, religious liberty, and justice.

• Please pray that candidates and officeholders would be honest, and that God would expose and restrain corruption (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

• Ask God to give us wisdom to weigh issues biblically and to avoid letting fear or anger define us.

• Please pray that Christians would be faithful in civic life beyond Election Day, through prayer, service, and respectful engagement.

• Please pray for peace, honest and orderly elections, and a fair counting of votes.

• Please pray for protection against violence, intimidation, and misinformation.

PRAY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” We need to pray for more leaders who will stand for life.  We need to pray for more leaders who will stand for biblical marriage and sexuality.  We need to pray for more leaders who will stand for religious liberty. We need to pray for more leaders who will stand for righteousness. In other words, we need to pray that more leaders will embrace those things that are important to God.

• Please pray that the people steering our state and nation would seek God’s righteousness and not merely their own self-interests (Psalm 33:12).

• Confess our own complacency, compromise, and silence where the Truth of God has been dishonored, mocked, and rejected.

• Ask God to make us people who long for righteousness and are zealous for good works (Titus 2:14; Matthew 5:6).

• Please pray for the preborn, for pregnant mothers in crisis, for the poor and drug addicted, for the elderly, and for those who are oppressed or exploited. Ask that the law would protect them, and that we would speak up for them as Proverbs 31:8-9 calls us to do.

• Pray for true justice in our courts and for an end to corruption in institutions that serve the public.

PRAY FOR MERCY

Though we don’t deserve His mercy, God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. Our nation’s sinfulness and the Church’s reluctance to stand firmly for biblical truth should move us to repentance and earnest prayer. Yet 2 Peter 3:9 encourages us by reminding us of His patience and desire for repentance. The verse speaks volumes of His mercy.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some count slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

There’s also an incredible promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14. “… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Our state and nation, and those who live in them, are in desperate need of healing.

• Thank God that His mercies are new every morning and that His compassions never fail (Lamentations 3:22-23).

• Please pray that the Lord would spare us from judgment and grant us a season of repentance, renewal, and peace (Habakkuk 3:2).

• Ask Him to renew within each of us a humble heart and a steady trust in His steadfast love (Lamentations 3:22-23).

• Pray for God to withhold the consequences our sins deserve and to restore the health of our communities (Ezra 9:13; Psalm 85:1-2).

• Pray that God would revive His people, cleanse the church of compromise, and make us a light to our neighbors (Psalm 80:18-19).

• Ask Him to make us people who plead for mercy and extend mercy to others (Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:7).

Remember, there isn’t anything too hard for Him. Whatever the results, pray that we will remember His kingdom cannot fail and remain steadfast in prayer and good works.

PRAY FOR IFI:

• Pray for God’s hand of protection and for the health of all members of the IFI staff and board of directors.

• Pray that God would continue to provide the resources we need to uphold truth in the public square.

• Pray that our efforts would be multiplied and amplified for His glory.

Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
~Matthew 5:16~

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
~John 1:5~