Invite God into the Process: An Election Prayer Guide from Prayer Connect Magazine
As we approach our nation’s midterm elections, Christians must not only prepare to vote, but pray for the elections, candidates, and the church during this time. I believe my friend Dave Butts has written a wonderful guide for us, currently available in Prayer Connect Magazine. Begin reading below, or go here to see the entire article.
Now is the Time to Pray,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Invite God into the Process
An Election Prayer Guide
By David Butts
Is positive change truly possible in our nation today?
In every election cycle, American Christians have amazing opportunities sandwiched between grave dangers. We are privileged to be a part of a nation of people who have the responsibility to choose their own leaders. For those believing that godly leaders are a source of blessing to a nation, elections provide us with great opportunity. However, when we begin to put our hope in leaders rather than in the Lord, we open ourselves to grave danger.
God’s Word is very clear about having an undivided heart, trusting only in the Lord. King David, the mighty warrior, says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Ps. 20:7). Awareness of this verse can create a tension in the thinking Christian. Some have overreacted and rejected the political process completely. Such people will be less motivated to pray over the elections.
A balanced and biblical approach, however, allows us to fully participate in the electoral process without falling into improperly placed trust.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
This Week at Cross Church | A Letter from the Board of Directors
Dear Church Family,
Join us on Sunday, October 7, as we celebrate what God has provided in your life financially and observe Prove the Tithe Day, a day when each of us will launch into honoring God with the first one-tenth of all He gives us. For some, this is new ground; but, we are trusting God with you and for you. Because hundreds and hundreds of Cross Church families did this weekly over the past year, we were able to see God do so much through our people. Here are a few examples:
- 1,176 people followed Jesus in Believer’s baptism.
- Relocated our Fayetteville Campus to an incredible new facility.
- Impacted the lives of 904 students and children who attended our Summer Camps.
- Helped train up 1,992 children who attended one of our Vacation Bible School Extremes.
- Enrolled the largest class in our history of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
- Helped 21 church plants in North America and around the world.
- Provided approximately 2,100 Blessing Baskets to families and provided 27,050 meals through our Feed the 479 ministries. We had 494 professions of faith in these ministries.
As your Board, we want to challenge you. October 1 begins a new fiscal year at our church, as we will now give to meeting the demands of our Ministry Budget over the next twelve months. The 2018-2019 Ministry Budget needs are $20,800,000. The growth of our church and our ministries call upon us to meet this budget need.
The Ministry Budget of our church is the funding source of these ministries and as always should receive at least the first tenth of all we have and give. It allows us to reach out to a lost and hurting world with the hope of Christ’s love. We believe, with God’s favor, our best days are still ahead. One of God’s great promises in Scripture concerns honoring Him with at least one-tenth of your total income, as well as one-tenth of all He has entrusted you with in your life. This may seem impossible to some, but God is able to provide for your needs as you obey Him. Hundreds of our families are already honoring God with at least the first one-tenth of all God has given to them but as Pastor Floyd and Jeana will do and have challenged us annually, let’s join them in moving our giving above the first tenth, practicing generosity. As always, you can give online or sign up for recurring giving here.
We believe in winning others to Christ, seeing them baptized, and discipled to reach the nations for Christ. Join us in this grand task of Reaching Northwest Arkansas, America, and the World for Jesus Christ.
Thanks again and let’s continue to Reach the World for Christ!
Your Cross Church Board of Directors,
Robert Farrell, Nick Floyd, Bob McCaslin, Ben Mayes, Bert Miller,
Ted Schneider, Donnie Smith, Jerry Walton, Andy Wilson
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.