Philippians 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Elections come and go, and I have lived through quite a few, casting my first vote for President in 1968. Years later, one particular election caused me to fall on my face before God in petition, praise, and thanksgiving. Another was preceded by an extended season of prayer and fasting as the burden of my heart was so great. When the results came in, I was left feeling shaken, disappointed, and reeling with disbelief. The Lord immediately filled me with His peace and reminded me that those months of fasting and praying may not have yielded the answer I was expecting but, it yielded a response filled with the peace of God.
Our dedicated prayers through this election cycle are not a guarantee that we will receive all we asked for, or exactly the way we picture it. When we ask with thanksgiving, our hearts are prepared for whatever the outcome. But, we must not allow our circumstances or attitudes to stand in the way of offering thanksgiving and gratitude to God, for He is always sovereignly in control. Romans 8:28 offers this comfort to us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” We are not required to thank Him for the outcome but to thank and trust Him through the outcome.
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for the many ways You love us, care for us, and for Your answers to our prayers, even the answers we don’t expect. Thank You for encouraging us to come to You in prayer, and may the things we have learned serve to make thanksgiving an essential part of our daily prayer life, not just for this election season. Father, we are thankful for Your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.
I am honored that you have read my devotion today and have accepted the invitation to pray for our nation. I trust it is an encouragement to you and glorifies God. Feel free to Like, Follow, and Share this devotion as well as my page with your family and friends. To receive them in your email every day, go to https://devotionsforallreasons.com and simply click on “Subscribe.”
