The tension between God’s providence and humans’ freewill has been long discussed and debated. So, will all the prayers between now and November 4 make any difference in the U.S. presidential election?
Alaskan governor and Republican vice presidential candidate believes so. When asked by James Dobson on the “Focus on the Family” radio program if she was discouraged with polls showing Republicans trailing, Sarah Paliin answered:
To me, it motivates us, makes us work that much harder. And it also strengthens my faith, because I’m going to know, at the end of the day, putting this in God’s hands, that the right thing for America will be done at the end of the day on Nov. 4. So I’m not discouraged at all.
What do you think?
Note: Sunday 9 pm: At this point, “Yes, the winner will be God’s will” is ahead in the polls. I’ll run the poll again after election results are in. It will be interesting to see Evangelicals’ reaction if Barack Obama wins and the progressives’ reaction if John McCain wins. Were prayers answered? Was God’s will accomplished?
Here’s my take: humans—with freewill—will decide the outcome of the election, but God—in His providence—will accomplish His eternal, worldwide will regardless of whatever choices are made in the 2008 U.S. election (Job 42:2, Romans 8:28). I don’t understand how God does it, but I believe He does.
And, for something lighter, click for comedy and commentary on 2008 election
The options in the poll seem a little restrictive to me…Why does the free will of humans and God’s will have to be either/or? Can’t God accomplish His purposes without violating the free will of man?
I dispute the premise of the question: why a logical OR?
Reality is a mystical blend of free and divine will, with the freewill frequently contributing sin, and the divine trumping in the end.
Your question/poll is too hard for me to wrap my brain around. Was it God’s will that Adam & Even eat the fruit? No. So clearly our free will can and will screw up God’s plan (to our detriment, not God’s). However, just as when Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, God took what man had meant for evil and turned it to good. I think he continues to do this today. The bible does say all authority is from God. You could quote scripture in defense of either argument.
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord?” Romans 12:33, 34
It’s not for me to understand. Just believe that ultimately God is in control. Amen!
I believe God can work in the hearts/minds/spirits of both “the people” and the government officials… but I don’t think God typically gets involved in choosing the elected official, as we are given free choice to both make good decisions and make errors. Believing the elected official is God’s will causes people to support/accept/promote the person as a whole, flaws and all, and thus many end up supporting initiatives and directives that are far from godly both in governmental leadership as well as in church and corporate leadership. We need to always remember that we’re all human and prone to error – EVEN IF there was some divine leading for the person to be in the position they’re in. Just look at many people in the bible… kings and other important people who did many horrible acts… but still managed to hear God, repent, and do great things with their life.
God does not go against mans will, however, when someone prays for something, (as salvation for a loved one) I believe this authorizes God to change that loved ones will. In my mind the same applies here, when we pray, God acts in accordance to the answer to our prayers. So Pray, Pray, Pray!! God answers prayer!
I believe the prayer can and will affect my vote, but it will not my affect neighbors.
I do believe that I can ask God to help me present reasonable and understandable comments to my neighbor to sway their vote. I do not believe the God will change a persons or peoples vote(s) because of what I pray, That is ACORNS job :O).
That being said, I believe God already knows who is going to win and will allow us to understand that all is going according to his plan. God is ultimately in charge and will never give us something we can not handle.
When Jonah went the wrong way God didn’t make the men on the ship throw Jonah overboard. He worked on Jonah’s mind and spirit and allowed “natural” storms to direct him back to where God wanted. God used an whale that doesn’t have free will to save Jonah.
And I believe that is how it will be with this election. If we, as a country, vote for the “wrong” man, then it is because we made that choice, not God. Everything happens for a purpose and God already knows what we will be doing.
Prayer is for my guidance to be in God’s will. As Paul said, “I plant the seed, Apollo waters it, but God gives the increase. God doesn’t water it and he doesn’t plant. It’s His job to give the increase. We reap what we sow. If we don’t sow, there is nothing to reap.
TRUST God in all things. Prayer and faith are required to trust God daily. There really is no controversy here.
I don’t beleave GOD had this election in mind when he wants us to pray. Like all sports teams and this election there will be a winner and a loser. If they both pray to win then some one is going to lose. I feel that when GOD wants us to pray he wants us to get closer to him not to have a certon outcome of some event. I think that what ever happens in this world it is GODS plan. I think that a person should pray to get closer to GOD and to work on trying to be the best that he/she can be. To be the person that GOD want us to be. I don’t think that when the bible was writen and it said to pray it had this or any other event in mind. The main reason of prayer is to get closer to GOD and to pray for those in need. I don’t think this is one of them.
Come on saints;
You all should know by now that the ‘prayers of the righteous availeth much’ (paraphrase) and that when two or three come together and agree on ANYTHING, it will come to pass.
That being said, God appoints leaders into positions that His will will be done. Reference leadership appointments of these leaders as a response of the prayers of the saints: Joseph, Gideon, Daniel, and Moses.
Afterall, it is His M.O. to search the hearts of the praying saints, and provide and supply our need and not our greed – and this includes the office of the U. S. Presidency.
So by Jahdrum7 reasoning , we did not pray enough to get McCain elected. “Coming to pass” is not something that we should be expecting just because we are praying for it. That would mean that anytime I want something to happen I just need to get three or more people to agree with me and then pray. Forget God’s will. Forget that we don’t always know what is good for us. That to me, sounds more like Word of Faith thinking. If I believe it will happen. Which isn’t always the case. And Jahdrum7, I’m not implying that you are of that thinking. Please don’t take offense.
When I pray, God gives me wisdom. What I do with that wisdom is up to me. God will not go against His will because I prayed it. And yes, I know that Abraham asked God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if ten righteous people were found. But God already knew that answer and it didn’t change Gods will. Lot and his family (minus lots wife), were spared but Gods will was still done. And the same with Jonah as I stated before. God changed Jonahs location go get His will done even though Jonah didn’t want to do it. And when Jonah wasn’t happy with the outcome God’s will was still done despite Jonah’s desires.
When Obama takes office we need to pray that he will follow Gods wisdom and not follow his free will. He claims to be a Christian so we need to appeal to that part of him, hold him accountable as brothers and sisters in Christ, and ask God to have the Holy Spirit direct his paths so that he will do good and not evil.
Free will…. sometimes it just sucks having that. Sometimes I wish it was something I could turn off.