CHOOSING LEADERS: VOTING; ELECTIONS, AND PRAYER

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God, " (Romans 13:1). 

Are all leaders good? Absolutely not! 

Are all leaders, good or bad, under the watchful eyes of God? A resounding "yes" is the answer. The word of God tells us, “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases,” (Proverbs 21: 1).

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof," (1 Corinthians 10: 26). Only God in His wisdom knows why He allows certain leaders to rule over certain nations. He, ever so often, exposes us to some leaders to remind us of the flaws of men, and why it is a sin to put our trust in flesh. God always wants us to be aware that what our souls are thirsty for truth, kindness, love, mercy, wisdom, and guidance, only comes from Him, our God, and Sovereign Leader. 

CHOOSING LEADERS

God allowed the children of Israel to have Saul as their king. 

God was managing the affairs of Israel as a nation, all along. Even though He was sheltering, grooming, favoring, and developing Israel to be a nation that would be an example to all the other nations of the world, the Children of Israel developed a penchant for the common cultures of the world. They decided that, contrary to God's plan, they wanted to have a human king to manage their affairs. God warned them against such a desire, but their minds were bent on becoming like the peoples and cultures by which they were surrounded. And so, God gave them their heart's desire. Saul became their first human king. 

Saul was selfish and self-centered as a king. His mind was set more on issues pertaining to his personal pride than on the kingdom for which he was responsible. 

As children of God, we have the power to get whatever we want. God gave us the freedom of choice, Such freedom He does not interrupt. But all freedoms and choices have consequences. We must, therefore, be careful before we execute them.

VOTING/ELECTIONS[ PRAYERS

When I reflect on the words of Joseph de Maistre, the eighteenth-century philosopher, who said, "Every country has the government it deserves," I cannot help thinking about Saul and many of our present-day nations and their leaders. It all boils down to the way we expend our power of choice. 

In today's world, it is wise for us to turn to God before we go to the polls. God's word instructs us how we turn to Him in these times. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land," (2 Chronicles 7: 14). 

INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNAL PRAYERS

We can pray individually. We can pray as a family. We can pray as a community. But, we must pray. Prayer releases God's supernatural wisdom which helps us in moments when we must make wise choices. 

These are times when we need to humble and pray to God. These are times when we need to seek Him with all our hearts, lest we vote by emotion and not through God's guidance. We must call on God. Tell Him about the leaders we want. Tell Him about the leaders we do not want. And we must turn away from selfish, false, and ungodly reasons that may be in our hearts when we go to the polls. We must repent from whatever habits, attitudes, and actions in which we have been indulging that are contributing to communal and national dilemmas. Do not go to polling stations without calling on God for His guidance, wisdom, and understanding so that right decision can bring us the right leaders. 

PRAYING FOR LEADERS AND POTENTIAL LEADERS

No matter how talented, skillful, academically and professionally qualified a leader may be, there are certain things a leader cannot do on his own. God's word instructs, "I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior," (1 Timothy 2:1 - 5).

Certain things are released through spiritual meditation. Prayer unites us with God and gives us the fighting power we need for the breakthrough in our endeavors. The polls begin a long and arduous process of demanding work. We must never desert our leaders after we elect them. We must never forget our leaders after we have seen them safely inaugurated and positioned in their offices. We must be ready, willing and available to pray for our leaders and shower them with our support, both spiritual and material, throughout their time in office. 

Our leaders' success is most valued when we remain by their sides to intercede for them so that they can operate in good health, God's wisdom, knowledge, discernment and with all the heavenly gifts they need to make them faithful in their duties.