“I’ll never be political.”

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How many of you once uttered similar words to mine? I never thought I would be well-versed in the political issues of the day, interceding on a national level and drawing others in to do the same.

Almost ten years ago, I sat around a table of passionate intercessors, discussing and praying for a 24-7 prayer movement in the Northern Virginia area. I distinctly remember the prayers and words of another intercessor about how important it was to become educated about the present-day issues (specifically regarding government) in order to best know how to pray. I heard it. I believed it. But I didn’t think it affected me. I wasn’t political.

Don’t get me wrong, I prayed for the nation. I spent countless hours peering out the windows of that prayer room interceding on behalf of this nation and for revival. But knowledge and understanding…I just thought that was for others, who were more “wired” for such. I was never going to be politically minded.

Never.

And then it became personal.

Issues arose in our local school system and my eyes were opened. I saw agendas being pushed and in many ways being “snuck” into the public schools. I then realized any ignorance or apathy would only facilitate what seemed an unstoppable force.  The issues locally were threatening to take away my “rights” to teach my children morality as my husband and I saw fit, rather than having a government institution teach what THEY determined right and tolerant.  I HAD to stand up.  I HAD to use my voice.

It’s only when it became personal that my eyes and ears were opened.

Friends, I argue that the “political” issues facing us as believers in Jesus Christ are VERY PERSONAL.  If you haven’t yet made a stand, if you haven’t yet determined where your vote will be cast, I ask that you sit quietly before the throne and ask to hear HIS heart.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM & EDUCATION

Freedom of speech and freedom of opinion, for lack of a better phrase, are being attacked in school systems across the nation. Marketed diversity policies for schools encourage employees to tattle on co-workers’ personal viewpoints that challenge the “accepted” public narrative.  This is part of a larger movement. If the move continues as it has, no longer will your personal religious opinions and persuasions be considered anything less than intolerant, bigoted, or racist. Your reputation and character will be maligned for anything other than agreement with the public narrative. The education of our students and what “agendas” will infiltrate our educational systems are at stake. Our first amendment rights are at stake with this election.  This is evident not only in the schools but also in the careful eye on the churches and public gatherings in the midst of this pandemic.

You need to know that in terms of education policy the Democratic Party Platform believes it is the GOVERNMENT’S responsibility to ensure a quality education for all students, with a focus on how education impacts people based on race, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and income level.

In contrast, the Republican Party Platform considers parents as the first building block in a student’s education:

“Parents are a child’s first and foremost educators, and have primary responsibility for the education of their children. Parents have a right to direct their children’s education, care, and upbringing. We support a constitutional amendment to protect that right from interference by states, the federal government, or international bodies such as the United Nations. We reject a one-size-fits-all approach to education and support a broad range of choices for parents and children at the state and local level.” (Republican Party Platform 2016/2020, 33)

As to First Amendment rights (religious freedom), the Democratic Party Platform highlights keeping church out of the public square:

“Democrats celebrate America’s history of religious pluralism and tolerance, and recognize the countless acts of service of our faith communities, as well as the paramount importance of maintaining the separation between church and state enshrined in our Constitution.” (2020 Democratic Party Platform, 48)

The Republican Party, on the other hand, seeks to protect our rights to speak freely:

“We value the right of America’s religious leaders to preach, and Americans to speak freely, according to their faith. Republicans believe the federal government, specifically the IRS, is constitutionally prohibited from policing or censoring speech based on religious convictions or beliefs . . . . We pledge to defend the religious beliefs and rights of conscience of all Americans and to safeguard religious institutions against government control. . . . [W]e strongly support the freedom of Americans to act in accordance with their religious beliefs, not only in their houses of worship, but also in their everyday lives.” (Republican Party Platform 2016/2020, 11-12)

MARRIAGE & FAMILY

In our current culture, the institution of marriage and family does not hold the value and protections it once held.  In fact, the move towards Marxism/socialism (and what was once articulated on the mission statement page of Black Lives Matter just over a month ago) dismantle the value and importance of the nuclear family and the ideal of a father and a mother.  The institution of marriage and family has already been disassembled in so many ways and its protections are at stake with this election.

I found no statements indicating the importance of the family in the Democratic Party Platform 2020.  The last statement regarding the family being integral is from 2004.  In the 2020 platform, affordable childcare and work and medical flexibility are the focus.

However, the Republican Party Platform 2016/2020 makes some strong statements about family and marriage:

[Family] “is the foundation of civil society, and the cornerstone of the family is natural marriage, the union of one man and one woman. Its daily lessons — cooperation, patience, mutual respect, responsibility, self-reliance — are fundamental to the order and progress of our Republic. Strong families, depending upon God and one another, advance the cause of liberty by lessening the need for government in their daily lives. . . [We oppose the imposition of] a social and cultural revolution upon the American people by wrongly redefining sex discrimination . . . reshap[ing] . . . our entire society — to fit the mold of an ideology alien to America’s history and traditions.””  (Republican Party Platform,  31, 35)

LIFE

The sanctity of life and the definition of such is at stake.  There is NEVER a question about whether ALL life matters – from womb to the grave.  We are EACH created in the image of God and HE is the one who knew us before we were ever in our mother’s wombs.  We mourn and grieve for each senseless death.  We mourn and grieve for those who have been lost in accident and in sickness.  We mourn and grieve for those who take their own lives when they find no hope worth living for.  We mourn and grieve with and for those moms who conceived in tragedy or find hopelessness in their unborn child’s diagnosis. We also mourn and grieve for each baby who was never given a chance to take their first breath and live – ones whose voices were silenced before they ever were allowed life into their lungs, ones who had no choice.  The protection of the unborn is at stake in this election.

Only one party will seek to protect the life of the unborn.  Read part of President Trump’s proclamation on “National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2020”:

“As a Nation, we must remain steadfastly dedicated to the profound truth that all life is a gift from God, who endows every person with immeasurable worth and potential.  Countless Americans are tireless defenders of life and champions for the vulnerable among us.  We are grateful for those who support women experiencing unexpected pregnancies, those who provide healing to women who have had abortions, and those who welcome children into their homes through foster care and adoption.  On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the wonderful gift of life and renew our resolve to build a culture where life is always revered.”

Only one party seeks to affirm the right of the unborn child to life:

“The Constitution’s guarantee that no one can ‘be deprived of life, liberty or property’ deliberately echoes the Declaration of Independence’s proclamation that ‘all’ are ‘endowed by their Creator’ with the inalienable right to life. Accordingly, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to children before birth.”  (Republican Party Platform 2016/2020, 13)

There are many other policies I could mention here, but I believe the ones mentioned above need to be central to our decisionmaking.

I can tell you all the reasons you should vote for a particular candidate and party platform, and I believe you can read that through my above conversation, but If you are still on the fence in how to cast your vote, I ask that you would consider a few things:

• PRAY! Ask the Lord to lead and guide your thoughts AND your conversations.  Ask that PEACE would be your guide.  Ask for clear discernment as you engage in these conversations, so that YOU would know how the Lord is asking you to vote – nationally AND locally.
• Engage in conversation with those whose faith you respect. Ask who they are voting for and why.
• Read from those who have written with a Kingdom mindset at the forefront of their political discussion.
• Read and pray through the Intercessors for America Voter Prayer Guide. It highlights the distinctions between the two party platforms.
• Then, sit before the King of Kings and ask to hear His heart on the matter.

Don’t wait until it gets personal.  It is already personal.  Your voice counts – don’t miss the opportunity, responsibility and privilege we have to vote in our national elections this upcoming Tuesday!

See you at the polls!

Much of the above information can be found in the Voter Prayer Guide.  Click to get your copy!

Author Suni Piper is a prophetic intercessor who blogs at A Surrendered Life. (Photo Credit: Getty Images.)

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