Our trust is not in an outcome.
For months now, we’ve been asking one question: How should we pray for Maine?
And we keep coming back to the words of Jesus.
When the disciples asked Him how to pray, He taught them:
Our Father in Heaven,
holy is Your name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done,
in Maine as it is in Heaven.
Election Day is Tuesday. So let’s ask it again.
How should we pray for Maine this week?
There’s a lot on the line. We know that.
The people we elect will shape the Maine our kids grow up in.
That matters. It matters a lot.
As Christians, we’re called to show up. Get informed. Vote. Steward the freedom we’ve been given (and it is a gift!).
But our hope is not in an election.
Our hope is in Jesus. He’s King.
That doesn’t change on Tuesday. It doesn’t change when the votes are counted. It doesn’t change on Inauguration Day either.
Pray for those in charge
Paul wrote this to Timothy:
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV)
Think about who Paul was writing to.
Christians living under Caesar.
He didn’t say pray for the leaders you like. He said pray for all of them.
A couple verses later, he tells us why. God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, ESV)
That’s bigger than who wins.
So pray for the people in office now and the people running. Pray for wisdom. Pray for courage. Pray they’d protect the vulnerable and do what’s right (even when it costs them!).
Then pray for your neighbors.
The family down the road that’s stretched thin. The kids in your town. Your church.
The neighbor with the yard sign you can’t stand. (Yes, them too!)
“Our eyes are on you”
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat is facing an army he can’t beat.
He doesn’t know what to do. So he prays, and he says this:
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)
I love that line.
It’s honest. And it’s exactly the posture we need right now.
We don’t know how Tuesday turns out. We don’t know what comes after.
But our eyes are on Him.
So yes, get informed. Yes, vote your convictions.
Just don’t confuse showing up with carrying the whole thing on your shoulders. It doesn’t all depend on you.
And don’t put your hope in a candidate or a party.
The Kingdom of God isn’t on the ballot. Jesus is already King.
When we pray “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done,” we’re handing Him our preferences. Our expectations. Our fears too.
Wednesday morning
That’s how I’d encourage you to pray this week.
Not just that things go our way. Pray that God’s will would be done in Maine, as it is in Heaven.
And whatever happens Tuesday night, pray that we’re still faithful Wednesday morning.
Still loving our neighbors. Still praying for whoever’s in charge. Still telling people about Jesus.
We aren’t praying because the election doesn’t matter. We’re praying because it matters, and it still isn’t ultimate.
Our trust is not in an outcome.
Our trust is in the One who reigns over every outcome.
A Prayer for Maine
Our Father in Heaven,
holy is Your name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done,
in Maine as it is in Heaven.
Father, we lift up our state to You.
We pray for everyone serving in office and everyone running. Give them wisdom, humility, and courage.
We pray for our neighbors, our churches, and our towns.
Forgive us for the times we’ve put our hope in anything but You. Forgive us for letting fear and anger get in the way of loving the people You’ve put next to us.
Help us show up faithfully, and trust You with what we can’t control.
Our trust is not in an outcome. Our trust is in You.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done.
In Maine as it is in Heaven.
Amen.