Pastoral Reflections on the Day after Elections

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. – Romans 12:18

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. – James Madison, Federalist 10

We are living in very anxious times. English stylists frown upon the use of an intensifier, like “very,” but I think we can all agree that such use of this word is entirely appropriate given how many of us are feeling. Very worried, very tense. Both sides, red and blue, are feeling it. Outside the church and inside.

What can we do? What ought we to do? As followers of Jesus, as people called to prayer. We have scriptural guidance for occasions like this.

The context of the Romans passage above includes blessing those who persecute the believers, not repaying anyone evil for evil, not being proud. This passage addresses attitudes and actions befitting followers of Christ who seek peaceable living.

The Philippians passage addresses in direct fashion episodes of anxiety. You can see how anxiety can be addressed in prayer (with thanksgiving!) and you can read what’s promised to the prayer(er). These words about prayer from the Apostle Paul are not about escapism but a certain kind of engagement with God, in this world, in Christ Jesus.

The last quote is, of course, not from the Bible. It’s a healthy reminder from the pen of James Madison that the American experiment in constitutional democracy necessarily carries with it a certain tension: differing opinions about important national matters. That difference in large part due to two things: our fallenness and our freedom. Madison, famous pupil of John Witherspoon, remembered his Calvinist roots.

Rev. Dr. John Lee
Member of the Board of the Reformed Institute