Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, one of the most closely watched contests of the midterms, produced its first head-to-head debate on Oct. 8, and U.S. support for Israel was one of the sharpest points of disagreement. Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed met in Grand Rapids for a debate hosted by WOOD TV8 and NewsNation, the first of two planned. With polls showing a tight race, their answers on Israel, the Iran war and the economy offered voters a clear contrast.

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From The Epoch Times:

While both candidates laid out their positions on topics including rising gas prices, the Iran war, data centers, mass surveillance, and housing affordability, cross-talk and interruptions dominated the evening.

When Albin asked El-Sayed if he would support sending defensive weapons to Israel following a hypothetical attack within its borders, Rogers interrupted and said, “I’ll answer the question. Absolutely, he won’t.”

“Pretty hypothetical question. I support just staunchly their right to exist, the right to exist for the Jewish state, and the right to defend itself in a very difficult neighborhood,” Rogers replied. “Listen, if they’re talking about using nuclear weapons, I would—they would definitely lose my support. I’ve never heard them say that, though.”

Moderator Rick Albin repeatedly asked the candidates to hold their rebuttals so the debate could move through its questions. El-Sayed said he opposes using tax dollars to buy weapons for any foreign nation, including Israel. That position matches his platform, which also includes Medicare for All and replacing Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service. Rogers, a former FBI agent who served 14 years in the House, calls his own platform common sense and describes El-Sayed as too extreme for Michigan.

The two found some agreement on gas prices, since both said they would pause the federal gas tax. They split on the cause. El-Sayed blamed the Iran war, which he said Rogers supported from the start, and promised to hold oil and gas companies accountable. Rogers criticized Michigan Democrats for not backing a 50-cent state gas tax cut and said he supports a temporary pause on U.S. diesel exports. On trade, Rogers, who once strongly backed President Donald Trump’s tariffs, now says Canada is not the enemy and wants a deal, while El-Sayed favors targeted tariffs tied to industrial policy, as the United Auto Workers has urged. Polls show a close race, and the RealClearPolitics average gives El-Sayed a 3.2-point lead.

For Christians, the stakes include more than economic policy. Genesis 12:3 records God’s promise to bless those who bless Abraham’s descendants, and Psalm 122:6 calls believers to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Romans 13:1-4 reminds us that governing authorities carry real responsibility before God, including protecting the innocent. Voters are right to weigh how each candidate would handle America’s relationship with Israel. The chaotic debate also reflects a wider problem. James 1:19 calls us to be quick to listen and slow to speak, a standard many public conversations fall short of. Whatever the outcome, believers are called to vote prayerfully and to treat candidates and neighbors with honor.

Let’s pray for Michigan voters as they weigh their choice in this race, that they would seek God’s wisdom and look past slogans and soundbites. Let’s pray for Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed, that they would speak truthfully and treat each other with respect in the debate still ahead. Let’s pray for Israel and its people, that the nation would be protected and that the peace of Jerusalem would come. And let’s pray for our country’s leaders, that they would honor God in their foreign policy and show courage in defending the vulnerable, remembering Proverbs 29:2.

How are you praying about this issue? Share your prayers and scriptures in the comments below.

(Excerpt from The Epoch Times. Photo Credit: Conlan Houston – https://www.flickr.com/photos/197161005@N08/54881517527/, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=177428647).