A factor that has been largely ignored in the 2004 election is prayer. We don’t like to talk about it and it goes against our sensibilities to have God meddling in our “political” affairs. We have seen the paintings of George Washington praying before the battle, but somehow the fact that God is God of all life, including our political leaders continues to eludes us.

However there is ample reason to believe that God expects his servants to pray for righteous leaders and there is good evidence that he answers those prayers. In 1 Timothy Paul writes:

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NIV)

From raising up Joseph as the second in charge of Egypt to save his people to disposing the Pharaoh of Egypt when he led the Israelites to Canaan the Bible is replete with thousands of instances where God showed that he is indeed king of the nations.

God’s hand is also present in more recent history. In 1996 the five thousand or so Mongolian Christians decided to pray that God would change a government that was hostile to Christianity. Rick Leatherwood, an American who was there at the time says this about it:

“Then came the Parliamentary elections of 1996. The Communist party at the time held 73 of the 75 seats in Parliament and the “Democrats” were expected to gain only a dozen or so seats in the election. Weekly prayer meetings numbering upwards of 300 began, and were held each Sunday night for ten weeks leading up to the election. They heard a message of faith: that things can change; that God can call into being things that are not. And the people prayed accordingly. The meetings culminated the evening before the election in the large square in the center of the city. As this final prayer meeting began a rainbow broke out right over the square. The next day, June 30, 1996, the Mongolian people voted 50 “Democrats” into the Parliament and Mongolia made world headlines.”

This is just one experience out of many when after believers have humbled themselves and prayed, God disposed leaders, raised leaders up and changed the course of a nation in dramatic ways.

The Presidential Prayer Team has felt it is their duty to help Christians answer the commands of Scripture. The group has grown over the last few years from only a couple people to over 2.8 million — making it more than 1% of the population who are praying for our president. Non-partisan and non-sectarian, membership is free and there is no obligation. Besides sending out weekly e-mail updates they coordinate virtual prayer rallies where thousands decide to pray at certain times. Not content to pray just for our nations leaders, they have been very successful with an “Adopt a Troop” program, where members can pair up with one of the armed forces and commit to pray for them.

Before the election, The Presidential Prayer Team organized Pray the Vote. Both through them, other organizations, churches and by themselves, Christians committed to pray and fast for the election. And we see what happened, where we swept in the most pro-life Congress and President ever.

Bush and all our leaders need even more prayer now as they set an agenda for the second term, determine the makeup of the cabinet and reach out across the aisle. Let us bend our knees, praying that our leaders will indeed rule in the fear of the Lord.