I Prayed have prayed
Lord, ahead of the elections, we seek justice, truth, righteousness, law, and order. In Your mercy, please grant us those things.
Reading Time: 6 minutes

The Scripture warns: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. … ” A lack of knowledge is ignorance, and the word ignorance has become a pejorative meaning “mentally deficient.” Definitionally speaking, however, that is incorrect. Ignorance has absolutely nothing to do with intellect; it has to do with a lack of exposure, with simply not having received proper instruction on a particular issue.

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We’ve all heard the maxim, “Ignorance of the law is no defense.” But if that applies to ordinary citizens, then it certainly applies to judges as well.

The recent Colorado Supreme Court decision in Anderson v. Griswold disqualified former President Donald Trump from appearing on the ballot in Colorado’s primary. In my estimation, this decision is so fraught with legal error that it can boggle the mind. That this decision can be considered to have legal merit shows us that our contemporary legal education system falls woefully short. Very simply, the law schools are failing to teach the law.

Judicial Decisions: Are They Law?

Typically, a law school’s entire course of study over three years concentrates on what is known as “tertiary law,” and this is itself a legal misnomer. More precisely, students are taught that there are three types of law: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary law involves the Constitution itself. Secondary law is statutory — those laws that are legislatively enacted. Tertiary law involves case opinions or “judge-made” law. But under Article III of the Constitution, judges are given no such law-making authority. So how can a judicial decision be labeled “law”? Even more perplexing, why is this the predominant type of “law” that is now taught and studied in the law schools? That can never equip the legal community to preserve our constitutional republic as the Founders intended.

Perhaps these sorts of errors stand out to me because I tend to think from a jurisprudential or legal-philosophy perspective, as opposed to the point of view held by most lawyers or historians. But I believe that pointing out such errors helps make their egregious nature more clear. And that’s important.

First, in the present case, the term primary “election” is something of a misnomer. Primaries do not elect anyone to office. They are merely intra-party nominations. General elections are the only true elections constitutionally afforded to the people. Primaries are the creation of a society that has embraced the factions we call political parties, and this allows those parties to select and put forward a preferred candidate for the general election. Seeing it that way brings up a host of questions and issues. For one, how can Colorado legitimize a statute that enables a complaint concerning an intra-party nomination to be brought forward by nonmember plaintiffs? To any who might argue, “Well, four of the six were,” I would insist that such factual analysis cannot cure the deficiency within the underlying law.

Factions: A Caveat

Ultimately, one has to wonder about the rationale behind any state’s making taxpayers pay the expenses of a private political party nomination. This is especially questionable when we consider the strong warning against such factions made by George Washington in his Farewell Address. He was adamant that embracing such partisanship would foster excessive divisiveness:

Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. … Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.”

This is a harsh rebuke of political parties. But I’m not trying to take a position disdainful of parties, because when properly managed, they serve the important function of assisting voters to know the candidates’ views. Unfortunately, wherever there is (as with the Republican Party) any hesitancy about disallowing party affiliation for those who clearly do not align with the platform (as seen with liberal Sen. Susan Collins), party affiliation tends to lose any meaning and merit it might otherwise afford. In such cases, it serves only to increase polarization. Consequently, governmental engagement in private political party functions is devoid of any legitimate governmental purpose and ultimately fuels divisiveness — using taxpayer dollars. It also opens the door to governmental intrusion into private party and nongovernmental decisions. The actions of the Colorado Supreme Court are a prime example of just this sort of inappropriate governmental overreach.

Statutory Construction: Inclusions and Exclusions

Another misstep by the Colorado Supreme Court is its failure to apply the correct rules of statutory construction. Expressio unius est exclusio alterius is a well-established principle in statutory construction. This Latin phrase means that when one or more things of a class are expressly mentioned, others of that same class are intentionally excluded. The court’s analysis of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment ignored this principle when it cast any and every office into the definition of “officer.” Here is the actual language of Section 3:

“No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.”

What is odd is to assume that the offices of president and vice president were meant to be included in some mere laundry list of persons, without being listed specifically. To suggest that the drafters chose instead to begin with the lower offices of senator and congressional representative but intended to include president and vice president only within the generic term “officer of the United States” is legally indefensible. Assuredly, I’m not arguing that someone who has truly advocated for the overthrow of the Constitution ought to be qualified to hold the highest office in the nation. But there’s no evidence whatsoever that President Trump committed insurrection. And since the drafters of Section 3 did not include the offices of president or vice president in this plain language of Section 3, they clearly anticipated that such a high position would be protected by the collective knowledge and will of the people in casting their votes.

Wisdom and Knowledge: How We Keep the Republic

Time does not allow me to dive deeper into the substantive errors of the Colorado decision, but highlighting a few of the procedural shortcomings may suffice. We all know the famous quote from Benjamin Franklin that we have been given a republic, if we can keep it. But it seems even more of a challenge to “keep it” when some of the greatest legal minds of the day are oblivious to the basic rules of statutory construction — to the point that this state Supreme Court decision can be rendered and virtually no one references the rule of expressio unius est exclusio alterius. I repeat, ignorance of the law is no defense, and this should be especially true of our legal community.

Again, Hosea 4:6 warns that God’s people are “destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Such a lack of knowledge is surely the very definition of ignorance. Let us, therefore, pray that any spirit of ignorance that opens the door to spirits of confusion and chaos may be exposed and routed. Let us thank the LORD that King Jesus defeated every enemy of the truth at the cross, and that we have authority to stand over our nation and pray for revelation, understanding, order, and unity. Let us hold boldly to the declaration that Jesus is the truth, and that we shall know the truth, and that the truth shall set us free. And let us remember that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty! Finally, let’s not grow weary in well doing, fully knowing that in due season, we shall reap. May God bless America!

Share your prayer below for truth, righteousness, law, order, and justice in the coming elections.

Cynthia Dunbar is an attorney, an author, a constitutional scholar, a Regent University professor of government, a former law professor at Liberty University, an ordained minister through the Federation of Ministers & Churches International, and an IFA board member. She and IFA President and CEO Dave Kubal co-host Constitutional Corner. Follow Cynthia on X or Instagram; view her videos on Freedom Focus; or schedule her here to speak at your next event. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America – Donald Trump, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)

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Billie Minor
February 8, 2024

This has become a Circus. I am weary even to think the effort to destroy Donald Trump Has anything left in their desperate ‘bag of tricks’.

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Fran
February 8, 2024

Father God, this year is Your year of government. We pray that no matter what the enemy tries You will have Your way! We desire President Trump to be on every ballot throughout the US, but we also know that if he is taken off the ballot a tsunami can take place through our Lord! Miracles can happen, we just have to keep looking up!!! We have to believe and remember Who is in control. Our Father is not going to let us down He is going to show His power, might and strength!
We all want to see our nation come back to God!!!!

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Sharion H
February 4, 2024

I live in Colorado, but our county is more Republican and have managed to keep democrats from representing us. Colorado Springs, Denver, Aspen, and Boulder are strong Leftist democrats. Many came from California! We’d like our state back! We were RED until they came.

Precious Heavenly Father, please help us, that trust and believe in you and want honest representation, to get our state back. Without your help, it will be impossible. Our governor is dishonest and is making a fortune off his decisions for our state. They make laws and pass laws without us even knowing anything about them. Now they are trying to keep our president from running for the office of President. As a Christian, I know from the prophecies that you selected Donald Trump and said for him to serve two terms. Please open the door that they shut and let us vote for our man and the one you chose for us. I’ve prayed this morning for Donald Trump as I hear the news of more attacks they made on Trump. And Lord, PLEASE STOP THOSE ATTACKS AND DISCLAIM THE ONE WITH THE WOMAN REPORTING BEING RAPED SINCE SHE DOESN’T KNOW WHEN, WHERE, OR ANY OTHER VITAL INFORMATION and rather than the president giving her $83.1 million, make her pay Trump for putting him through her ways of using the law to attack. Shame on the Judge and may be no longer be a judge for accepting that worthless claim. I ask this in the perfect, precious and magnificent Name of Jesus. Amen.

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April
February 3, 2024

In Jesus Mighty name , praise him , Open the eyes of the lost oh lord , Let them all know you Father , let them repent and humble themselves so you may heal our lands

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Sherronna bishop
February 3, 2024

Brilliant account of what most be done to restore accountability to Nit just Colorado courts, but the American judicial system at large. Ignorance will not save them.

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    Cynthia Dunbar
    February 3, 2024

    Thank you, Sherronna, and thank you for all you do as “America’s Mom!”

    3
Stacey Schieffelin
February 3, 2024

Absolutely a work of pure knowledge, strength and facts for our Nation! A must read – written by the real deal when it comes to Biblical Foundations & Constitutional Law…Cynthia Dunbar!! A woman that understands what our REPUBLIC needs to have WE THE PEOPLE save our great country! Please Lord let these written words be taken to your people! Amen 🙏🇺🇸♥️

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Darlene Estlow
February 3, 2024

I have heard Cynthia Dunbar on IFA’s videos. It is refreshing to hear her talk about the constitution. Thank you, Cynthia, for your understanding and explanation. I wish our judges had to have a degree in the constitution like you do! I pray for our country to be healed and for judges to rule according to the constitution.

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Victoria Z
February 3, 2024

Father in the name of Jesus only you can move this mountain on behalf of our prayers. Raise up righteous citizens and lawyers to peacefully but effectivelly protest and overturn this unjust decision and forbid other states from disqualifying Trump, Father turn the tables and expose and forbid those who made and voted in these unjust unconstotutional decisions, and pull them from their positiins of influence and replace them with just patriotic public servants who respect and uphold our constitutiin allowing the people to legally and lawfully elect candidates of our choice, let it be so, and thank you for hearing us and making it happen overcoming all obstacles, in Jesus name

22
Raymond B. Colonel, US Army Ret'd
February 3, 2024

One way to tamp down the use of lawfare to interfere with elections is for the Courts, like the US Supreme Court in the Colorado case, to require the plaintiffs to pay all court costs and attorney’s fees associated with the defendant’s (Pres Trump’s) defense and sanction the plaintiff’s counsel a reasonable amount, say $5 million, for bringing a frivolous lawsuit to court. This presupposes that the Court views the CO Supreme Court decision as frivolous, a waste of judicial resources instituted with the sole purpose of lawfare in an attempt to keep the President’s name off the ballot. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but then I am not a lawyer.

23
Carlida
February 3, 2024

Thank you. May the LORD strengthen and bless you to continue sharing this important information

17
DC
February 3, 2024

El ELYON, God Most High, Holy and Everlasting Revealer of the Ages, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, I pause and think of Your Holiness, Your Righteousness and Your Power.

Thank You for the prophets and the words You gave them long ago as Your message and words are still appropriate
today. I thank You for those who bring clarity and knowledge to this present age. I thank You that Your Widsom is freely given to those who seek it.

LORD, many are and have prayed for the exposure and expelling of evil in this Nation- in all levels of government., schools, churches and homes Thank You for exposing what You have. Thank You that You continue to overcome evil and those who conspire against You and this Nation. Even when it seemed like it couldn’t be, Your plan was the Resurrection. “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” ( Matthew 28:6) .
Resurrect this nation with Your Sovereign Hand!

In the name where all authority is given, Jesus.

Amen

28
Richard
February 3, 2024

“Righteousness and justice is the foundation of your throne…” Psalms 89:14
Father God as your Ekklesia, we declare and decree that we see all the lies, deception and the advancement of wicked plans stop and cease. Flip it so that the Promises of your plans and purposes be fulfilled, expose the hidden agenda of the anti christ spirit, open our eyes to who you say we are and to the Authority you have already given us. We demand an end to everything opposing your Will of keeping your Covenant Promises to us and our Nation to be “the Light on the hill” bring us Righteous Leaders who will do your will in Jesus Name we Pray

17
R Stephen Crowley
February 3, 2024

I attempted to send the message about security of the southern border but whoever wrote it made it over 400 characters longer than can be sent

1
Ron Deere
February 3, 2024

What Colorado did was to prohibit the will of a significant fraction of Colorado’s population that would have voted for Trump. I get that there is another fraction of Colorado that HATES Trump. Okay, but that fraction that hates Trump should NOT be able to disenfranchise a significant fraction of Colorado’s voters just because a few HATE him.

14
Brian lynch
February 3, 2024

IT IS SO SAD, WHAT OUR ELECTORAL PROCESS HAS BECOME. The way that each party is trying to undermine the other, trying to destroy the credibility of the candidate from the other, is very sad indeed. The way that the Dems have tried to twist the law to go after Trump is appalling. Lord, we need a return to decency, truth, righteousness, law, order, and justice in this nation. The demonic spirits that are behind all of this inappropriate action need to be bound in the name of Jesus. Our nation’s future is vitally dependent upon a return to traditional American fundamental ways of functioning. Please, Lord, let your will prevail.

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Jerry D
February 3, 2024

Dear God, please bring a revival across our land. America needs you and we call upon the Holy Spirit to bring your renewal to all of America. This is a war and we see it more clearly every day as the media saturates us with very little truth, and makes it hard to know who to believe. Our elected leaders are failing us and dissension grows. Come dear Jesus come!

25
MN
February 3, 2024

Sadly, the gov’t of CO, including it’s SC, have been on a crash course of Marxism and leftist ideology for almost 2 decades. This was a designed & planned change, turning CO from a red to a blue state. Placing, appointing, maneuvering certain people into key positions that affect policy, laws, etc. was easily done because people & specifically the body of Christ became uninvolved in the activities of “people represented gov’t”. In addition, corruption became more & more prevalent with many who have moved into those positions. (like it or not, small bribes & political “favors” are corruption that erode long standing foundations).
There is no shortcut to turning the tide in states like CO. It starts with repentance and involvement of those who desire deeply God’s law to govern their lives. The CO Supreme Court members need a change of heart & mind to undo their “activist opinion rulings”. Pray that God will break each individual and break through with His spirit. And may God pour out a spirit of conviction….for the need to repent for the body of Christ that has become ineffective when it comes to influencing & being intricately involved with our governing bodies.

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Terri B.
February 3, 2024

Dear Lord, do whatever You have to do to bring our country back to You. We see our judicial system is in a mess, with judges who know nothing about true law, yet acting and ruling as if they do. Your Word says for judges to rule righteously and they brazenly do not. When I look around Lord, I see turmoil everywhere. Dear Father, bring our Country, Your Country back to You. We bind the spirit of turmoil and loose Your Spirit of peace and righteousness over the USA and the world, in Jesus’ name! Amen……

35
Torrey Mitchell
February 3, 2024

Heavely Father thank you once again for showing us the state of the church and the United States of America government. As the church continue to speak on some or address some issues in private that requires a public out cry help us to stand in you God, your will, your word and that which align with your truth, justice and righteousness and not what a man, a church or our government is trying to re-define what that is. Your word God is the truth and their is no compromise. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” 
God we “Thank you” for your mercy as we continue to move into 2024 primaries and the presidency election and as your judgement is here we pray that your church will do the just, right and honest thing and forget about being a republican or democrat. Your word God is so clear and true we love what you love and hate what you hate period! We crosswalk every situation with your word. We pray for your will and not anyone else’s agenda to be done in Jesus name. We trust you God and know you CAN NOT BE manipulated. We decree and declare your elected officials will be in their place in government to produce your outcome for 2030 in Jesus name Amen!

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Joyce Bell
February 3, 2024

Prayers for all leaders to have more wisdom .

25
Grant R
February 3, 2024

The Colorado Supreme Court truly had no legal basis for what they did. It is 100 percent politically driven decision in which they fully overstepped their bounds.
Former President Trump was never found guilty of insurrection.
In fact that should have been the first factual point of law presented that through this case out.
In fact, all Colorado Supreme Court justices who signed off to remove Former President Donald Trump from the ballot should themselves be removed from the court for violating the US Constitution and trying to make law from the bench of which they have never been granted that right. Judges are required to follow the law and not legislate from the bench, for which these justices did just that on political motivations.

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Rick Gibbs
February 3, 2024

I pray that our institutions of learning will teach and educate our citizenry ALL knowledge and not educate on political point of view. John Adam’s once said Liberty can not be preserved without a general knowledge of its people. I believe some of our freedoms and liberties are be challenged for this very reason. I hope parents and grandparents work to see these lapse in public education are addressed in there homes and in our institutions of learning. May God help us find our way and Bless the USA 🙏

53
    Denise
    February 3, 2024

    Yes, grandparents and parents need to address the gaps in education being bold and courageous about teaching in the home.

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