ELECTION REFLECTION – 2020
November 1
Q. 105. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A. In the fifth petition, which is, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”, we pray that God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.
Reflection:
I don't know any other petition that we might need to pray more frequently during election week than the fifth petition. It may be the one we constantly find ourselves lifting up in confession to our merciful Father, "forgive us our debts!" Forgiveness for making politics a god and savior. Forgiveness for demonizing those whom we disagree with while venerating our own political camp. Forgiveness for idolizing or insulting a particular candidate. Forgiveness for siding with a party on every issue by reflex without discernment. Forgiveness for a lack of respect and civility in our political engagement. Forgiveness for forsaking the agenda of love.
Election season can often be a hotbed of certain sins such as idolatry, hatred, anger, partiality, revengeful spirit and more. The fact is Christians are not immune to the sins of our polarized culture and day.
But there is good news. In the fifth petition, Jesus invites us to pray for forgiveness of our debts or sins for Christ sake. Because of Christ's blood, we who were once God's enemies were made His friends, all our sins were wiped away and the Father's wrath was completely satisfied. And on this rock-solid basis, we are encouraged to continually come to God asking for forgiveness of our sins including the ones mentioned above and more. This is indeed good news!
However, as forgiven in Christ, we are also empowered to truly forgive others. Yes, even whom we might call our "political enemies." In a day of polarization, where strife, violence, political putdowns, divisive language, and unkind memes run rampant, Christians have the power to embody love and a forgiving spirit. This includes having a forgiving disposition even towards those that injure us, ridicule and persecute us for our political convictions. An unforgiving spirit in our discourse has only resulted in less sanity and more compromise: having opinions and making choices influenced by striving to defeat the other side. But Christians no longer have to be driven by fear or revenge. Being forgiven in Christ liberates us from the bondage of getting even with our "debtors." It frees us to overcome evil with good. It empowers us to love. If Jesus can forgive a rebellious, wicked and wretched sinner like me, who can we not forgive as well?
I could not think of a better way to close this reflection than with a prayer. During these last days leading up to election day, let's pray to God for forgiveness as we also seek to embody it as well.
God, forgive us for the times we’ve failed to treat each other as Your creation. Forgive us for celebrating unloving behavior in our candidates and our leaders. Call our leaders and political candidates to a new level of respect and civility. Remind them that You are sovereign and that the wisest choice we can make is to serve You and serve others. May there be a new movement of collaboration and respect in our nation’s capital and throughout the country. Give Your people the strength to lead by example with radical, world-changing love. Amen.
https://www.worldvision.org/christian-faith-news-stories/6-ways-pray-country-during-election
Elder Soo Bin Lee