Let Us Pray

Tuesday’s midterm elections turned out to be far from a close contest between Republicans and Democrats. In what has been described as a blue wave, the Democratic Party has now taken control of Congress with majorities in both the United States House and Senate.

Some of the Democratic victories were shocking as they reached deep into Republican strongholds. At least 39 seats in the U.S. House flipped from Republican to Democrat. These flipped seats occurred in numerous states, including New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri, and Iowa.

The Democrats have at least flipped 7 Senate seats (and possible 9), including in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, and, shockingly, Texas. The Democratic Party not only won big in the U.S. House and Senate, but the Party also flipped five governors’ mansions in the states of Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas.

Here in Kentucky, the blue wave was felt, but not as strongly. Republican Andy Barr won the U.S. Senate race to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell. Although Democrats flipped nine state legislative seats, most notably Republican-held seats in and around Louisville, Republicans are projected to retain their legislative supermajorities, with 74 Republicans and 26 Democrats in the KY House, and 30 Republicans and 8 Democrats in the KY Senate.

Voters also decided several ballot initiatives. Some were encouraging, such as the measures in Colorado, Arizona, and Washington that ban men from competing in women’s sports. Also in the state of Idaho, voters voted down a pro-abortion initiative. Others, however, were deeply troubling: Virginia legalized abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, and Nebraska made abortion a constitutional right up to fetal viability.

Although this election did not play out the way conservatives were hoping for, we must remember that political seasons change. The power of congress throughout history has swung from one party to the other. Even more, we must remember that as earthly kingdoms change, transform, rise, and fall, King Jesus remains the sovereign ruler of all. Ultimately, it is Him we place our trust in, not politicians or a political party.

Let us also remember that we are to pray for our rulers, even if we do not agree with them with joy and confidence. God holds the hearts of kings in His hand and He can turn their hearts whenever and however He chooses (Proverbs 21:1). May we commit to fulfilling our Biblical command to pray for our governing leaders, asking the Lord to give them wisdom, understanding, and the courage to govern righteously in His sight.

LET US PRAY…

Father, please help each and every governing authority in our nation to seek Your wisdom and truth so that they may rule righteously. Lord, we praise You that no matter who takes political office and is in a place of power, You remain in complete control of all. Father, help us to completely trust in You always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.