Prayer, not politics: Churches plan nonpartisan services as election nears

Nov. 5 update: An Alabama television station reports on the Mayfair prayer service.
One week from the U.S. presidential election, Churches of Christ are hosting nonpartisan prayer events for people before they head to the polls (or after, if they live in a state with early voting).
In Huntsville, Ala., the Mayfair Church of Christ will host a prayer service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, al.com reports.

The Mayfair Church of Christ’s building in Alabama (Photo via www.mayfair.org)

The only thing that will be at the center of the platform at Mayfair Church of Christ … will be an historic Bible that was read in the United States in 1776.
And it’s not a color-coded Bible, with Conservative Red or Liberal Blue markings, says Jason Bybee.
Bybee is one of Mayfair’s ministers who has helped plan the community-wide, non-partisan service to pray for America.
“We live in such bifurcated, ‘Red State,’ ‘Blue State,’ times,” Bybee said.
“We do not want to be one more voice creating fragmentation. We want to be the voice for people of faith coming together to seek God’s wisdom and counsel.”
And that means actually seeking God’s wisdom, not just finding proof texts in the Bible to justify one’s personal politics, Bybee said.
The point of the hour-long service is to remind Christians of all – and no – political leanings that they have much to remember in unity: Each person’s personal need for repentance, a shared love of America, and, especially, the ultimate sovereignty of God.

Read the full story.
The church purchased 131,000 impressions on digital billboards to invite the community to the prayer service, member Tim Hall said.
The Grandville Church of Christ in Michigan recently hosted a Wednesday evening prayer service for the nation.
“This is a prayer for our nation and the upcoming election,” said church member Shirley Boorsma. “This is not a political endorsement for any candidate or party.”
Is your church planning a prayer event or special service before the election? Please share the details.
 

• Feedback
  Amen to the sovereignty of God my brother. We as Christians need to join together in prayer for our great land. God is in control, no matter how much the politicians want to ramble on about the issues. One thing that I really want to say is that we need to study the candidates from a biblical perspective and then vote for the one that we think will uphold its principles. Truly looks like the lesser of two evils to me, but our God is God and the church is His people and He will protect His own. Look for example at the Roman Empire, it no longer exists and the church is still on earth. As a people (nation) we might not endure these troublesome times, but the church will.

  Wally

  October, 30 2012