Presidential Election 2016: Prayer isn't a suggestion

For starters, my sincerest apologies on this post coming on Thursday instead of Wednesday. (For the weekly posting of #TheWaitingSpaceWednesday)I didn’t  take into account that this week = Politics, Politics, Politics! So I’ll post about Cape Town next week, mainly because the results of this years Presidential Elections has caused a major shift in the lives and the emotions of many people. I normally stay away from discussing politics mainly because many of us don’t know how to have a mature and intellectual one. (I say that with love.) We don’t know how to “just listen.” We listen, with intentions to rebuttal.   

            Yesterday was a heavy day with high emotions. Everyone I encountered seemed “off”, and it was just a very quiet day. (Did you have a similar experience?)  A young lady I work with came into the office and announced, “today I am in mourning” and literally wore all black, and sat in isolated places. I got word that a professor at my University mid way during her lesson broke down crying. I saw a Facebook post about a classroom of 4th graders whose greatest concern was that they would be deported. (4th grade!!) Yesterday, was heavy.

            My trust, and my hope is not in man, regardless of their rank and/or title. My hope is in the Lord.Trusting in God is a posture one should take regardless of the conditions around them. 

     I woke up this morning and made a declaration to myself and to the Lord that I will pray for Donald Trump. Funny thing is, as I was making that declaration, it occurred to me that I should’ve been praying for him. (For all of the candidates)Prayer isn't optional, as a matter fact it's a privilege--so why wouldn't I? (another topic for another day)  I should’ve also been praying for the people who share in some of his beliefs. So in my declaration to pray for our next President, I’ve declared that I’ll also pray for this nation. For our flesh, it’s scary to witness and to be in the middle of a time of such great division, but to our spiritual man, we have to notice the different things being revealed to us, so that we can know exactly what to go into spiritual warfare for.

            I am not afraid of man, what can he do to me? (Psalms 56:4). Dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. (Psalms 22:28) I will pray. I will pray when it hurts. I will pray when it feels most difficult. I will pray when I come face to face with a person that hates my very being. I will pray when decisions are made that I disagree with, and I will pray when decisions are being made that I rejoice in. I’ll take it ALL to the Lord, consistently.  1st Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge you, FIRST of all, to pray for ALL people. (All people means just that, ALL). Ask GOD to HELP them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. (Whew, that’s weighty, that requires stepping outside of how you feel). Pray this way for kings and ALL who are in AUTHORITY so that we can live in peace and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”

            So I encourage you today, to shift your posture. I get it, a lot has happened and a lot will happen, but honestly it doesn’t feel as heavy when you put the demand back on God. Doesn’t he sit high and look low? Does He not know what is taking place on His earth? I challenge you today, not to continue in a stinky posture, or in pointless debate, or in fear or hopelessness but to pray more today. To study your word, study the gaps and flaws in this nation and ask the Lord for strategy on what you should be doing to cause a shift in this nation that ripples all over. He can use you, if you’re open to it. Let him! Start with bringing every concern and issue to him in your prayer closet, because only HE can change the hearts of man. I dare you to believe Him for just that. Also, I know there are some people who find prayer to be a passive aggressive approach, it isn't. Its recognizing that things will get done not solely in your strength but in His. If you really want to know some truth, it's in YOUR prayer closet where strategy is birthed as to how you should assist this nation in the progress that you hope for. (think about that) 

XoxoXoxox, (We gon' be alright) 

P.S, 

He is still King of Kings & Lord of Lords. (get this concept) 

Alicia Elizabeth