Interested in impacting our government? Here’s six simple ways you can start today!
Did you know that since April 25, 1789 every session of the House of Representatives and Senate has begun with prayer?
I didn’t—until recently.
Now we’re in a new city (the capitol of Indiana) with new experiences and new opportunities to serve others.
We attended our first session of the House of Representatives when a friend of ours opened with prayer.
In total there were around 30 of us with the Church Ambassador Network (formerly the Daniel Initiative). Our group was composed of Hispanic pastors, some of their wives & the leaders of this ministry.
We had the privilege of meeting representatives from both parties, along with the first Hispanic Secretary of State, Diego Morales.
Here are a few photos of our time together:
Neat fact: Indy is 2nd just to Washington D.C. for the amount of monuments they have!
This day I understood a little better the answer to this question:
How can Christian homemakers have a real impact on our country’s government, without neglecting our main ministry, the home?
#1. Change Your Mindset
First things first.
We’ve got to change our mindset.
I encourage you to view those in government, not as politicians, but as people.
People, just like you and me.
People who carry burdens, disappointments, and sadness.
People who, just like us, battle temptations & are prone to sin.
People who desire someone to come alongside them and cheer them on.
People just like us who need encouragement, support, prayers and the love of Christ.
And that is the focus of the ministry whom we accompanied.
Not just to impact laws, but to minister to the people who make them.
#2. Pray
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)
It didn’t matter if they were blue or red, believer or non-believer, every single person told us, “We need your prayers. Please don’t stop praying for us.”
Jonathan will be putting his name on the list to open a session with prayer.
But in the meantime, I want to be more consistent in my personal life with fulfilling God’s command to pray for “those in authority”.
How about you?
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.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
#3. Show them Love
Love is personal. And love shows compassion.
Prayer is definitely one way to love others. But there are other ways.
And Christ exemplified this for us.
He didn’t distance Himself from people during His ministry on this earth. Instead, He reached out to them, talked with them and spent time with them.
Both those in government jobs (Matthew, a.k.a. Levi) and those the world rejected, despised and labeled “sinners and prostitutes”.
Simply read the gospels to be inspired by Him who is love.
I love the story of Jesus and the widow in Luke 7.
She had lost, not only her husband, but her only son.
The text doesn’t say this particular woman had faith in Jesus or even noticed He was there.
Even so,
“When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her…”
Luke 7:13 (NKJV)
His compassion moved Him to action and He brought her son back to life.
Obviously, we can’t raise the dead like Jesus, but we can ask Him to give us a heart like His.
A heart that notices others and cares.
And a heart that allows our compassion to move us to action.
A few simple ideas:
- Choose 1 woman, maybe in your local town’s government & start sharing His love in practical ways.
- If possible, meet with her in person at least once to introduce yourself.
- Thank her for her service, even if you don’t agree with her stances.
- Let her know you will be praying for her—-and keep your word.
- Write her a personalized card or email. Ask how she is doing and if she has anything she’d like you to pray about.
- If you know when her birthday is, send a card.
- Don’t make it a one time occurrence.
Below is a photo of our local representative, Rep. Carey Hamilton.
I have the personal goal of making further contact with her to show and share God’s love with her.
Neat story!
Apparently, the people from the Church Ambassador Network had been trying to meet with her for 3 years. She would always cancel on them at the last minute.
They think maybe she believed the meeting would be confrontational instead of compassionate. You see, various of her stances aren’t aligned with God’s Word.
However…
To our surprise, she met with us as we were gathered in the hallway. I walked over to her and introduced my husband and myself. When I mentioned we lived in her district, her face lit up.
She expressed that “the faith community is needed”.
When I asked if we could get a photo together, she led us back into the room where the session was held and down to the platform in front. She also wanted a pic with us.
Rep. Hamilton asked our names and where our church was located and looked it up in maps.
Josh, who is over the ministry, thanked me for being there. He said it made all the difference.
I did nothing. I was simply present.
But that’s what they say has the most impact–
The ministry of presence.
Showing them you care.
Just like Jesus did…and still does.
#4. Vote
I encourage you to not simply vote for a color or the best personality.
A friend, Jane, said, “My vote is not a Valentine’s Day card, but more like a strategic chess move.”
Do a little research about where each of the candidates stand.
What are the laws they hope to implement?
Which one’s future legislation is most in line with Christian values & beliefs?
I encourage you to place your vote behind him or her.
#5. Lovingly Speak Up
During our visit to the Capitol, one of the reps shared with us that they receive thousands and thousands of emails.
But often, they all say the same thing.
She said, “If all we are hearing is for one side—that’s the side we’re going to go with.”
If we stay silent, we cannot expect change.
Neither can we make a difference if we sound just like the world.
May our emails be ones of kindness and truth in a sea of complaints.
#6. Honor them with Your Words
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
1 Peter 2:17 (NKJV)
God calls us to honor, not dishonor authority.
But sadly, we can often dishonor them and lead others to do the same.
How?? By the words that come out of our mouth.
How do you react when you don’t agree with leadership’s choices?
Do you stop and pray or do you slander them? (I must ask myself the same question.)
We will not always be in agreement with leadership, their decisions or their lifestyles.
But through the grace of God, we can still honor them and encourage others to do so as well.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)
Impacting the government, like all the Lord calls us to do, is quite simple.
Simple, but not easy.
It’s not easy to die to our own desires and to live for Christ’s. To serve others rather than ourselves.
But through Him we can do all things—even love and impact the government.
Until His perfect kingdom reigns.
Come Lord Jesus, Come!
Will you join me?
Let me know in the comment section below!
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Love, Lauri
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