Prayer: The Calm in the Storm of Politics     9/29/2009
By Lindsey Douthit

On a typical weekday morning in Washington, D.C., lines of zombies (aka “commuters”) sleepily glide to Metro stations, armed with the promise of another day and another round of politics. One particular morning, I was unexpectedly reminded that all believers should center each day on one crucial thing: prayer.

As usual, I stumbled out of bed and joined the legion of not-yet-caffeinated masses heading to their respective places of employment. That week seemed particularly daunting, as the news never seemed to cease reporting the latest political assaults on Judeo-Christian values. Ever since Obama’s presidential win, it seemed that traditional marriage, family values, and fiscal restraint were now as outdated as hair scrunchies. Christian conservatives found themselves watching in horror as homosexual activists, pro-abortion groups, radical leftists, and environmentalists pushed their agendas forward with nods of approval by the new commander in chief.

As I made my way to the Metro station, preparing myself for another day of legislative difficulties and setbacks, I passed a café and noticed three men sitting at a table near the window. But they weren’t just drinking coffee — they were huddled together, with their heads bowed and eyes closed. Thankfully, since they couldn’t see me staring, I was able to look more closely and witness something truly inspiring. With a Bible open in the center of their table, the men were praying.

Surrounded by the insanity of politics, frenzied power grabs, and competitive ambition, those men were quietly starting their day with prayer. They achieved something quite remarkable, namely, carving out a haven of calm in an otherwise tempestuous D.C morning. That sight alone calmed my own soul and seemed to put the approaching challenges of the day into perspective.

As a Christian, it is tempting in these political times to feel outnumbered, overpowered, and just plain outdone. The giants of the left seem to march by, stopping only to wag their fingers at conservatives and chant, “Yes we can!” as they hack away at the foundation of America — those traditional values that Christians hold so dear.

However, we must strive to remember that God is in control, and we should be even more motivated to center each day on Him. This notion of praying for strength, and not self-assurance and self-reliance, is a notion foreign to the secular world. A great example of this is the reaction of liberals to statements made recently by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota).

While speaking in an August 2009 telephone town hall meeting about the plans of liberals to fund more abortions in the name of health care reform, Bachmann commented, “That’s really where this battle will be won — on our knees in prayer and fasting. Remember: faith without works is dead. So we’re asking you to do all of it: pray, fast, believe, trust the Lord, but also act.”

Of course, liberal blogs and newspapers jumped all over Bachmann’s comments and labeled her as “crazy,” “loony,” “idiotic,” and other words which cannot be repeated here. The secular world is amused by the thought of relying on the Creator for strength and help in fighting our battles.

For believers, Bachmann’s words ring true, whether one lives in the political environment of D.C., small towns in rural America, or large cities. Let Christians remember that God has already won the battle, and that our job is to seek Him daily and stand for the principles of our faith.

And let us be inspired by the picture of the men in the café, quietly praying as the rest of the world thundered around them.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” 1 Corinthians 1:18 (New King James Version).

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