The Bell in the North Church

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

One of my favorite stories in American history is the story of Paul Revere, a silversmith who made his legendary ride to warn fellow patriots of the approaching British soldiers. Because he was alert and listening for the forces that would come against the cause for independence, the alarm he sounded possibly changed the course of history. It’s hard to imagine what would have happened in that battle, even the war, without his warning. Even today, we have this fateful ride memorialized in Longfellow’s Midnight Ride of Paul Revere - “Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-arch; Of the North-Church-tower, as a signal-light…”

If 2020 didn’t seem like a tumultuous year, there is an election on Tuesday. In the unlikely event that you were able to avoid the numerous get out the vote campaigns, political commercials, and signs, this shouldn’t be news to you. While many prefer not to talk politics, there has been a bell ringing in the “North-church-tower” for some time now, an alarm for our nation. Except, this time, the fight is not against flesh and blood as much as it may seem – Republicans v. Democrats, the U.S. v. China, the U.S. v. Russia – it is against principalities and powers of darkness. There is an alarm signaling Christians, and it is a call to action. A call to war and pray for our nation.

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

(2nd Chronicles 7:14)

Many could easily point to the political and policy debates being played out daily as the source of this nation’s strife. But the election we’re facing has far more significant consequences. God is opening our eyes to the battle over this nation, which is being waged on the political stage but more significantly is a spiritual one. While some of us look to our firmly held political beliefs or preferences to navigate in this season, our true hope is that God is in control. God is our source of wisdom and discernment when we go to vote, if we will heed His voice. It’s no longer about the personal preferences but what is God saying? What is his Holy Spirit leading us in this moment? It’s easy to vote personalities and preferences, but an alarm has sounded and our eyes need to be open. The Lord is All-Knowing and He is Sovereign. As you commit to praying for this nation and your vote, He will guide you.

As we are six days out from an election, we can take great comfort in that God hears our prayers for this nation. As we humble ourselves before Him and ask Him to appoint our leaders, we can be expectant through what He can do through us and our nation. He only needs a yielded heart. My encouragement is what is actually taking place doesn’t meet the eye. The news cycle, polls, and commentators don’t see the complete picture. Only God and what His Spirit reveals to us. God will give us the spiritual glasses to see what is taking place, behind what each of these candidates and policy positions will take us as a nation. The alarm has sounded; yet, God is bringing discernment and a voice to His people. Take heart! And so that we will see the goodness of God in the land of the living. The bell has sounded and we have been called to action.

Reflection Questions:

• Lord, I ask that you lift the veil, behind all of the debates, the policy positions, the news cycle, the tweets to show me what you’re doing?

• Lord, lead me in your wisdom and guide me as I vote.

• Lord, lead me and guide me in how to pray for this nation.

Our Prayer:

Father, we surrender this nation to you.

We ask that you be glorified through our choices, our policies, and our leaders.

Give us eyes to see the battle being waged before us.

Give us godly and Spirit led discernment, as this battle is not against flesh and blood.

Lord, lead us as we make our choices on November 3rd.

Let this election be our nation’s alignment with what you’re doing.

We declare that this nation will follow YOU.

On behalf of our country, we repent of choices and policies of this nation that do not honor you,

We ask for your forgiveness and for your blessing.

Amen.