At the founding of this country, it was common for pastors to preach election day sermons lasting as long as three hours. In these sermons, pastors implored their congregations to vote according to Biblical values.
John Jay said, “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
If you haven’t voted yet, please do so today, Tuesday, August 26. The polls are open until 7 pm. View non-partisan voter guides here.
At the founding of this country, it was also common for politicians to call for national days of prayer and fasting where citizens were called upon to abstain from their servile work to pray for their country. During these times of prayer and turning to God, God did hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land!
We are in a time in America today where we need to turn back to God, and on this primary election day, I ask you to join me in prayer and, if you are able, fasting for today’s election. From Daniel 2:21, we know that God removes kings and raises up kings. We also know from Daniel 4:17 that “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.”
Will you join me in prayer for America today and for His will in the outcome of today’s election? Gather in churches and public squares across this state, pray while holding a sign for a candidate, or pray where you are. Let us cry out to God on behalf of our cities, counties, state, and nation.
“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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)
Sermon Notes: An Election Prayer – Lord Raise Up Righteous Rulers to Deliver Us
OPENING PASSAGE — Psalm 116.
“I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD: ‘O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!’ Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD In the land of the living. I believed, therefore I spoke, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’ I said in my haste, ‘All men are liars.’ What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people, In the courts of the LORD’S house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!”
Noah Webster
“When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, “just men who will rule in the fear of God.” The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be sqandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.”
[Noah Webster, History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337.]
Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” (NKJV)
Proverbs 28:12 – “When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.” (Ref. vs. 28) (NKJV)
Psalms 33:12 19 – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. . . No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.” (NKJV)
1 Timothy 2:1 2 – “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (NKJV)
Daniel 2:21 – “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. (NKJV)
Daniel 4:17 – ‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.’ (NKJV)
Daniel 4:29-36.
America is Fat and Well Fed and Has Forgotten God – Deuteronomy 8.
Judges Pattern – Obedience, Blessing, Complacency, Disobedience, Bondage, Repentance, Deliverance
Judges 2:10-23, 3:1-15.
2 Chronicles 7:13 14 – “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (NKJV)
Historic Quotes from http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=80