“As a citizen of the Kingdom of God, I worship a King and Savior who actively reigns from His throne of heaven. He is sovereign and is in constant care for and has absolute rule over all HIS creation, for HIS glory and the good of HIS people. As a citizen of a constitutional republic whose government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, I MUST vote. I can not/will not vote for one of the candidates whose platform is being built on everything that God hates. I do not want to vote for the other candidate – one whose personality and behaviors exemplify everything that God hates. It seriously pains me to do so. Both are broken people for whom I pray every time I hear their names mentioned. I am only one, but I will not throw my vote away for a third party or write-in that has no chance of even entering the race with the other two. For more than 12 years, I have expressed my grief that in a country of 340 million people, these are our only options. I will vote for the policies that can best stem the tide of evil in our nation. That is a clear and straightforward choice. Not an easy one. My faith is not in the one for whom I cast a vote, but a vote I must cast. We the people are the authority that God has established in this nation and I must render unto God the things that are God’s. My faith is in the God of the Universe, the promises and precepts of His Word, and the expression of my trust is to live in obedience to and uphold His commands.” – Darryl Jones

Faith and Voting: A Reflection on Christian Civic Engagement

These words encapsulate the profound tension that many believers experience when engaging in the electoral process: How do we reconcile our ultimate loyalty to the Kingdom of God with our responsibilities as citizens of an earthly nation? How do we cast a vote when the options before us fall so far short of the ideals we hold as followers of Christ?

The dual citizenship that Christians hold—as members of God’s eternal Kingdom and as citizens of a constitutional republic—presents a unique and ongoing challenge. This tension is not new; it has confronted believers across history. While our primary allegiance is to our King who reigns from heaven, we are simultaneously called to engage meaningfully with the world around us. We are tasked with being salt and light of the Earth, and this includes participating in civic duties such as voting, advocating for justice, and contributing to the common good.

Distinguishing Personal Faith from Political Action

A crucial aspect of Christian civic engagement is understanding the distinction between personal faith and political action. While our spiritual beliefs form the foundation of our identity and worldview, political action is the means by which we apply those beliefs within the broader social and civic context. Personal faith is an intimate relationship with God that shapes our morals, values, and daily decisions. Political action, on the other hand, is the broader expression of those values within society.

It is essential to recognize that political engagement is not synonymous with spiritual faithfulness. Rather, it is one of the many ways we live out the principles of our faith. Spiritual beliefs guide our decisions regarding which policies to support and which candidates align most closely with biblical values of justice, compassion, and righteousness. Yet political outcomes can not and should not be the ultimate measure of our faith. Our loyalty is to God, whose sovereignty transcends all earthly systems. We are called to be faithful witnesses, trusting in God’s providence while taking responsibility for the influence we wield in the political realm.

Navigating a Flawed Political Landscape

One of the most challenging truths we must accept is that no political party or candidate can perfectly embody the values of the Kingdom of God. Human governance, by nature, is deeply flawed and marked by imperfection. The doctrine of human depravity reminds us that all individuals are inherently broken, including those who seek public office. This reality makes voting a process of choosing between imperfect options, requiring discernment about which policies align most closely with biblical principles.

Politics inevitably involves compromise. When we approach the voting booth, we are not choosing between an ideal good and a clear evil but making complex decisions in a fallen world. This process necessitates humility, wisdom, and a clear understanding of our priorities as followers of Christ. We must evaluate candidates and platforms based on their policies and their alignment with the teachings of Scripture, recognizing that none will fully measure up to our ideals.

The conviction that we must vote, even when neither candidate fully embodies Christian values, reflects a nuanced understanding of both our civic duty and spiritual responsibility. Scripture instructs us to pray for our leaders and seek the welfare of the place where we live (Jeremiah 29:7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2). Voting, though fraught with compromise, is one way in which we contribute to the welfare of our community. It provides an opportunity to influence societal direction in alignment with God’s justice, even if the choices are far from ideal.

The Role of Intercessory Prayer in Civic Life

Prayer is foundational to Christian civic engagement. We should pray for candidates whenever we hear their names. This practice serves as a reminder that our hope does not rest in human leaders or political outcomes but in the sovereign God who reigns over all. Intercessory prayer helps reorient our perspective, reminding us that God is in control, even when political circumstances are uncertain or disheartening. By praying for those in authority, we acknowledge that they, like us, are in need of God’s wisdom, guidance, and grace.

Prayer also allows us to approach the voting process with humility and trust. It guards us against cynicism and despair, helping us maintain our focus on God’s ultimate authority. In an era of deep political polarization, prayer enables us to engage with others—both those we agree with and those we do not—in a manner that reflects Christ’s love and grace. Prayer transforms our civic engagement from a purely political exercise into an act of worship, one in which we entrust our decisions and their outcomes to God.

Moreover, prayer reminds us that our identity is not defined by political affiliations or national loyalties but by our citizenship in God’s Kingdom. It is easy to become embittered or disillusioned by the political climate, but prayer calls us back to the truth that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ. Our engagement in politics must flow from this allegiance, grounded in the hope and assurance that God’s purposes will ultimately prevail.

Voting as an Expression of Stewardship

Casting a vote for policies that help stem the tide of evil underscores an important aspect of Christian involvement in politics: stewardship. As citizens of a constitutional republic, we have the privilege of participating in governance. To abstain from voting or cast a vote without practical impact can be seen as neglecting this responsibility. Stewardship in this context means using our influence to advance policies that protect the vulnerable, promote justice, and uphold moral values that reflect God’s character.

Christian civic engagement is not about endorsing a candidate as a savior; it is about exercising the influence we have in a fallen world. Voting is an act of stewardship—a recognition that while we cannot achieve perfection in our political choices, we can work toward a more just and righteous society. This perspective encourages us to remain engaged, even when the process is filled with compromise and complexity.

Stewardship extends beyond voting itself. It involves an ongoing commitment to advocate for justice, serve our communities, and hold our leaders accountable. Voting is just one aspect of our broader responsibility to be agents of change. It is an opportunity to contribute to the common good, but it must be paired with a willingness to act in other ways that embody the love and justice of Christ.

Specific Examples of Faith and Civic Engagement

Consider the example of William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Wilberforce was a committed Christian who used his political career as a platform for advancing God’s justice. He dedicated his life to the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, driven by the conviction that his faith compelled him to fight against such a grave violation of human dignity. Wilberforce’s advocacy was rooted in his understanding that all people are made in the image of God, and his political work was an expression of his personal faith. Despite his flaws, which included a tendency towards self-doubt and an ongoing struggle with poor health, William Wilberforce’s persistence and dedication led to the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire, demonstrating how personal faith can drive meaningful political change. Wilberforce’s moral campaigns sometimes came across as imposing his views on others rather than embodying grace, which garnered criticism. Additionally, his gradual approach to emancipation could be critiqued as lacking the urgency that true Christian compassion might demand, reflecting the complexities and imperfections in his advocacy. His challenges remind us that even those who are deeply committed to their faith can struggle personally, yet still make significant contributions to society.

Similarly, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States offers a powerful example of faith informing civic action. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, drew deeply from his Christian faith in his pursuit of racial justice. King was known to struggle with periods of depression, and he faced significant ethical scrutiny over allegations of infidelity. Additionally, his association with socialist ideas brought further criticism from those who viewed his stance as controversial or outside mainstream American values. Despite his imperfections, King’s leadership in nonviolent protests, grounded in the teachings of Jesus, played a pivotal role in challenging and transforming unjust laws and practices. His life exemplifies how spiritual convictions can and should inform civic engagement, particularly in the face of systemic injustice.

Maintaining Our Focus on God’s Sovereignty

In a political climate that often leaves us disillusioned, it is crucial to remember that our faith is not in any candidate or party. Our hope rests in the God of the universe, whose sovereignty transcends all human systems. We do not vote because we believe any candidate can fully embody the righteousness of God’s Kingdom; rather, we vote because we trust that God can work through even flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes.

As citizens of both the Kingdom of God and this earthly nation, we must engage in the political process without losing sight of our ultimate allegiance. Our calling is to live in obedience to God’s commands, to love our neighbors, and to seek His justice and righteousness in every aspect of life—including our role as voters. Our engagement in politics should be marked by humility, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the values of God’s Kingdom.

It is also important to recognize that our political engagement is ultimately an act of faith. We are called to trust that God is at work, even in the midst of imperfect systems and broken leaders. This trust does not absolve us of the responsibility to act, but it does remind us that the outcomes are in God’s hands. Our role is to be faithful, to do what we can with what we have been given, and to trust God with the rest.

Final Reflections on Faithful Civic Engagement

The act of voting is inherently complex, particularly when it feels as though we are choosing between two deeply flawed candidates. Yet it is a choice we are called to make. Our participation in the political process is an expression of our faithfulness—not in human leaders, but in God’s overarching sovereignty. As we navigate these decisions, let us be guided by our allegiance to the King of Kings. May our votes be cast with discernment, humility, and a deep trust in God’s providence.

Ultimately, Christian civic engagement is about embodying the values of the Kingdom of God in every sphere of life. While our choices may be imperfect, our responsibility is clear: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). As we cast our votes, let us do so with a heart of prayer, a spirit of stewardship, and a firm reliance on the God who reigns over all.

Our engagement does not end at the ballot box.