Faith Through the Journey

There have been  many news stories in recent days having to do with our government’s handling of a number of important situations. As I’ve tried to follow the many trails of these stories, there are some background details of one of them I found somewhat disturbing. They involve one of the people named in one of the controversial stories now making headlines and this person’s former position as head of the enforcement division of the Federal Elections Commission. As an elections official of more than 15 years, I am very familiar with election laws and what is and is not permitted with regard to election practices. I’ve had to enforce a number of these laws over the years, such as keeping a certain distance from the polling site if active “electioneering” is going on and voters having NO outside interference once they have entered the voting booth. Voters are not allowed to speak to anyone but an election official, which has brought some complaints such as “She’s my wife” or “My son needs some help”. If legal help is needed, only an official can speak with the voter, and the only assistance we are allowed to give is to read the ballot to the voter, to instruct them as to the use of the machine, and, if they are unable to do so and request it, marking the ballot on the voter’s behalf, but only in the exact manner the voter instructs.

The FEC official was involved in investigating allegations that Christian groups were coordinating issue advocacy expenditures with a number of candidates for office. The process took years and kept the groups tied up with legal fees and away from their purpose for existence. Educating voters about candidates’ positions is NOT illegal, as long as it’s done outside the polling place and the educational materials do not endorse one candidate over another. The depositions taken of members of the Christian group were very disturbing in their intrusive nature. The FEC wanted to know what occurred at staff prayer meetings, who attended the prayer meetings, what churches they belonged to, and even explaining the definitions of the terms “intercessory prayer” and “prayer warriors”. Pastors were asked to give information on their members’ activities and political affiliations outside of the church. The most outrageous questions, however, were regarding the content of the prayers of the people being questioned. The FEC attorneys wanted to know what was being prayed, who was being prayed for, and if the person questioned felt that their prayers were helpful to the person for whom they had prayed! Finally, the attorney had had enough and objected to the questioning with these words: “How the Federal Government can be asking about an individual’s personal religious practices in the context of an alleged investigation under the Federal Election Campaign Act, I am just at a complete loss to see the relevance or potential relevance, and I consider that to be also intrusive.”  The Christian group was ultimately absolved by the FEC of any wrongdoing. It appears that the official at the head of this investigation may have tried again to intrude into the personal religious practices of citizens through their new position as well.

Strange, isn’t it, that the officials involved were very concerned about the content of the Christian citizen’s prayers. Those who object most loudly to prayer may be fearful of what the results of such prayers might be! Will God intervene and answer the prayers of the intercessor? And how in the world would one “prosecute” answered prayer?? It sounds pretty absurd to me, but prayer in the name of Jesus is one thing opponents seem to object to most loudly. I hope I won’t go onto anyone’s “enemies” list, but I admit that I have prayed in MANY different places, including polling places! No, I didn’t kneel and pray audibly, but earnest prayers were going heavenward silently.

It’s been said that prayer is the most powerful weapon on earth, and can be launched from ANYWHERE! How ironic that earlier this week, a teacher in Moore, Oklahoma, admitted to “breaking the law” by praying out loud in her classroom as an F5 tornado bore down upon them. Somehow I don’t think any of the parents of the students in her classroom objected! I’m not sure every government official would be pleased to know that prayer for them is encouraged and even advocated! I Timothy 2:1,2 says: “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” If I am obedient to God’s Word, I MUST pray for ALL who hold positions of authority, whether I agree with them or not. So, even if they don’t particularly want me to, I WILL pray for those under whose authority I come, so that MY life will be peaceful and quiet as well. It’s a win-win situation–God guides them and I live well! And, as long as religious freedom is still the law of this land, I will not go to jail for praying!