Now that the midterm elections are behind us, our nation looks to the future—and what these choices will mean for America. If you’re anxious or uncertain about what lies ahead, here are four ways God’s people can respond in the aftermath of the election.
Trust God’s Sovereignty
Politics are important, and Christians have a responsibility to engage in the policies that affect our nation. However, we can rest knowing that nothing catches God by surprise, and nothing will get in the way of His plans and purposes. Regardless of who is in office, the Bible tells us in Romans 13:1 that “the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”
If you are struggling with the outcome of this election, rest in the knowledge that God is good and He is moving and working in ways we cannot see. Whatever the future holds for our nation, we can know that “the Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).
Billy Graham once said, “Don’t let the newspaper headlines frighten you. God is still sovereign; He’s still on the throne.”
Find Your Hope in Christ
Ultimately, no earthly leader or earthly policy can fix the root cause of America’s problem. The Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God provided the solution to this problem by sending His Son to take the punishment for our sin. He tells us that “whoever believes in [Jesus] should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
In response to the turmoil sin has caused, Franklin Graham said, “Yes, the world is in trouble, but it always has been since the fall. Our only hope has been, and always will be, the transforming power of the Gospel.”
Regardless of the shifting tides of culture, the success and failures of leaders, or the tumultuous noise of society, lasting hope and true healing is available through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“I don’t put my trust in Washington. I don’t put my trust in the United Nations. I don’t put my trust in myself. I don’t put my trust in my money. I put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. When all the rest of it fails and crumbles and shatters, He’ll be there,” Billy Graham said.
Earthly kingdoms will rise and fall, but the kingdom of Heaven will endure forever. When our hope is found in Christ, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that “this hope … [is] an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (6:19).
Remember Your Mission
God’s people have a responsibility to live out our faith for all to see. One of the ways we do this is by treating people with respect and caring for them out of an outpouring of the love we have been given in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20, NKJV). We might disagree with people—even fellow believers—but our purpose goes beyond our disagreements. As citizens of Heaven, we are called to shine the light of Christ into this dark world.
Jesus says in the gospel of Matthew to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (5:16).
Franklin Graham explains that “the Bible also instructs us as Christ-followers to live honorably, even in the midst of unbelievers, ‘that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God’ (1 Peter 2:12). That’s what Christians are called to do, empowered by the Holy Spirit and endowed with new life in Jesus Christ.”
Even if the election did not go the way you hoped, we are called to show God’s love to others and work for unity among God’s people.
Pray for Our Nation
The most powerful way to discover peace and promote the welfare of our nation is by lifting it up regularly to the Lord. If we want to see America turn back to God, then the first place we must turn is prayer. God told the prophet Jeremiah to “seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7).
There is power in prayer. As Franklin Graham said, “There is nothing more powerful that we can do for our country, our churches, and our families than to come together in prayer before God Almighty.”
As the noise of the elections fades into the background, may the prayers of God’s people rise up in one loud voice. The Bible tells us that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, ESV). Prayer shifts our gaze: We stop looking to ourselves or our leaders and rest in God’s faithfulness and goodness. In doing so, we will also realize that the chaos of this world is really the sound of people in desperate need of hope.
Billy Graham knew the power of prayer. He said, “Never stop praying no matter how dark and hopeless it may seem.”
Ask God to bring true healing to our nation through repentance in the hearts of individuals. Lift up America’s leaders—that God would draw them to Himself, guide them with His wisdom, and help them to lead in godly ways. Pray that believers would boldly declare the hope found only in Jesus Christ and that many people would place their faith in Him.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
