The Donkey and Elephant in the Room

I can remember a time when I had no clue how my friends voted.

I knew their challenges and successes in life. I knew what their kids loved to do, but I never thought about their political leanings. And frankly, I didn’t care. Few of us did.

Fast forward to now. Most of us spend more time each week on social media than we do in church. We excuse ourselves from attending church because we don’t want to be around those “judgmental hypocrites.”

I hope we can see the irony in those last two sentences.

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Checking Our Focus

Do I spend more of my headspace exalting political leaders than I do my Creator-Redeemer?

Every once in a while, I have to check my social media history and see where my focus has been. What am I liking? What am I sharing? It’s very telling.

I’ll admit it — I’m guilty of throwing gasoline on the fire at times. And this fire burns those who are most vulnerable.

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What Can We Do?

As Christians, how can we change this?

Jesus gave instructions to His disciples about conflict when they were spreading the Good News and weren’t accepted in a town. He said to brush the dust off their feet and move on to preach in places where acceptance could happen.

I think the same principle can help in our current battle with political anger.

We, as Christians, need to let offenses go and move forward in our mission to share God’s love. This can be difficult if we’re chained to a political stance. But it’s not impossible.

Here are a few ideas to help us break those chains.

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Step 1: Walk Away

When social media or a news channel riles us up, we need to leave it.

What would happen to the algorithms if, every time we saw something that made us mad, we stopped scrolling and shut it off?

Imagine what kind of peace would fill the space that anger used to occupy.

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Step 2: Deal With the Anger

It’s not enough to walk away — we still need to deal with what’s brewing inside.

We must find a way to shake off our anger like dust from our feet, leaving it behind.

Earnestly asking God for help with our indignation is the key to moving forward. He can turn our frustration into peace, our outrage into prayer.

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Step 3: Recenter on God

Then we need to relocate our focus.

The best way to recenter our thoughts is through Scripture. The Psalms, in particular, have an amazing power to calm and realign us with God.

Lately, I’ve been reading Bible stories and focusing on God’s character as it’s revealed in each one.

For example, when I read about Jesus turning the water into wine, I see a God who cares about every seemingly insignificant issue in my life. I see that He will move mountains for me.

That realization highlights a new facet of God’s nature, shifting my focus from myself and my frustration back to Him.

And when that happens — He becomes bigger in my thoughts throughout the day.

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Freedom From the Chains

When those three steps have been taken, I will have successfully stepped away from the chains of political anger — putting that political critter to bed.

I know this will make a difference in my life.

And most importantly, it will help me avoid hurting those who are unstable and might act out in anger.

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Prayer

Lord, help me see when my heart is more focused on politics than on You. Remind me that no leader, party, or opinion can save me — only You can. Give me the courage to walk away from anger, the humility to seek peace, and the wisdom to reflect Your love in every conversation.

Amen.

Prayer Changes Things: But Why?

“God only knows the times my life was threatened just today.

A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way.

Near misses all around me, accidents unknown,

Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home.

But I know they’re all around me all day and through the night.”

— Angels by Amy Grant

It is rare that we are given a peek at the tragedies avoided because someone prayed. Yet, I have seen amazing answers to prayer—some of which I’ve shared in past blogs. Still, being an analyzer at heart, I can’t help but ask why. Why does an all-powerful God need my prompts to change things? If He wanted to act, He could. He doesn’t need me. So why prayer? Why does it take prayer for God to decide to move?

I had a little breakthrough in my thick skull while listening to a video by Pete Greig on intercessory prayer, and I can’t wait to share it.

The first thing Greig pointed out was a biblical account where talking with God actually changed the outcome. Abraham negotiated with God over the fate of Sodom. In a respectful—and slightly humorous—conversation, Abraham convinced God to spare the righteous rather than destroy everyone. I think God was moved by Abraham’s humility, reverence, and persistent faith. (Check it out in Genesis 18:16–33.)

Then Greig shifted to God’s gift of free will. God gave us a choice: to love and follow Him, or to go our own way. This choice extends into our daily actions and how we treat others. God did not make us puppets. If we choose to defy Him and hurt others, He allows that freedom. This interplay of free will means future events are not set in stone. Prayer, then, becomes the way we align our will with God’s. Our choices—and our prayers—can release or restrict the power of God.

Let’s Do This—but How?

We have power over circumstances in prayer. Scripture affirms this over and over.

1 John 5:14–15

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

What an amazing gift! When we ask unselfishly for the things God desires to set right, He responds. He dotes on us—sometimes even spoils us—with blessings we don’t deserve. All we have to do is have a conversation with Him.

How do we know His will? Like a good parent, He doesn’t give us what will ultimately harm us. He sees our future and filters our requests through His wisdom so we don’t have to worry about asking for the wrong thing. Our job isn’t to figure it all out—we simply need to ask, and keep asking. He will sort it out.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Prayer must start with humility in our attitude. God is waiting to answer our humble requests—those offered with reverence and awe.

But What About…?

Of course, this doesn’t fully explain why loved ones suffer, why cancer claims lives too soon, or why the wicked seem to prosper. Even with this new revelation, I can’t explain it all. But honestly, I don’t want a God so simple that my little brain could explain Him.

Simply Pray—It Is Our Responsibility 

What I do know is this: prayer changes things. If we want to work with God, love Him, and bless those around us, we can. In fact, it’s our responsibility.

Because of God’s gift of free will, our prayers matter. They open the door for God to act. That truth adds a little urgency—and a lot of hope—to my prayer life.