The Case for the Evangelical Vote!

We know the importance of the Evangelical or Christian vote and if we don’t we are in denial. We know that Christians and I am one, vote our values. It is no secret that both Presidential Candidates know how important this vote is. Rick Warren is having a candidate's forum tonight on CNN where he will focus specifically on moral and social issues.
The last two elections were decided by morals. Evangelicals are people who believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that He died on the Christ for our sins. We believe in the Bible, the Ten Commandments, and do not want to defy God. There is a split between morally focused-Christians and socially-focused Christians. Morally-focused Christians and I’ll use Evangelicals and Christians interchangeably from this point forward, believe that morals are more important when supporting a candidate. Socially-focused candidates believe social issues are just as important. Hopefully tonight's forum will show where both candidates stand.
The Evangelical or Christian vote is important because of their influence. Religious leaders have large followings and while they cannot endorse candidates according to the IRS, they still have influence over their flock. Traditionally the Republicans have established the relationships with many of the televangelists. The Evangelical or Christian vote was a sure win for the Republicans! Now, that Democrats are becoming more vocal about their faith, there is a tug of war for the votes.
In my book, Pray Before You Vote! Jesus Is Not a Democrat or a Republican! Jesus Is Lord! I talk about the importance of including God's values in our vote. I also discuss how the Republicans are not afraid to vote their values and encourage Democrats to voice their values. I know many Christian Republicans and Democrats who love God, God's people and have moral values. There is a divide between the subset of Christian Republicans and Democrats.
The Presidential candidates know this. Their strategy is to go after the Independent thinkers. These are people who are not too conservative or too liberal. They can be swayed according to what issues are important at this time. So while many think that other groups like Hispanics, African-Americans, Women, Men, Armed Forces' votes are important, the Christian vote crosses all of these groups as well. The Christian is first loyal to God before they are loyal to their subset of groups. This is why this vote is crucial. Naturally it is important because votes are numbers that can be added to the final tally count for this election. Spiritually, the Christian vote is important because as we know when we people come together in unity, the influence can change minds, thoughts and ideas. This is why there is a desire for candidates to express their faith and make their case for Evangelical vote.
The case for the Evangelical vote has been proven in the last two presidencies. It will continue to be a factor in the future because Christians are finally waking up to do what God has called them to do. While Christians were quiet in the past, the Ten Commandments was taken out of schools, prayer has been changed to a moment of silence, teen pregnancy has increased, school violence has increased and morals have decreased. The Christian vote should be courted; the candidates should share their faith and values because this will be the only way they will get the Evangelical/Christian vote!
As we watch the forum tonight, let us be prayerful and hear from God. Let us know not be so orthodox (ultra-conservative, religious, dogmatic) or too liberal (lavish, radical, tolerant) to see what God is saying. Let’s pray and ask God for wisdom this year. Let’s not vote for someone because of our own prejudices whether it be ageism or racism. Let us not denounce someone because of one issue. We know God is bigger than one issue. Let us pray for God’s wisdom in our decision-making before we vote! Be obedient to God and you will never go wrong. Be sure to listen with a spiritual ear and watch wolves in sheep’s clothing as Jesus warned us. Watch the Pharisee and Sadducee spirits. Jesus said observe them but do not take on their ways!
I charge you to Pray Before You Vote and know that Jesus can use a Democrat or a Republican as long as they connected to His word and they have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them!
To learn more about the importance of including God in your vote and why Christians believe what they believe, read, Pray Before You Vote! Jesus Is Not a Democrat or a Republican! Jesus Is Lord! by Freya S. Williams
Freya S. Williams
www.praybeforeyouvote.org
www.praybeforeyouvote.blogspot.com

McCain Denounces Pastors Hagee and Parsley

Okay Christian brothers and sisters, this has been a world wind week! Tapes are now surfacing about Pastor John Hagee and Pastor Rod Parsley's comments. Both are mighty men of God. I always say that if I want a loved one or friend to get saved, I would put them in front of John Hagee or Rod Parsley! I know they will be convicted and accept Jesus as their personal savior! They know how to reach the soul!

They have both endorsed John McCain and now that the messages have surfaced, messages that many of us are used to hearing, everyone is in a frenzy! Now McCain sought out their endorsements and gladly accepted them. Remember, this is how the election was won last time because of the evangelical Christian vote! The Republican political strategy was to court the church and get the vote! This strategy worked! The Christian vote has become a political marketing strategy and many of our leaders have embraced right-winged leaders and denouncing left-winged leaders.

Now, we have two candidates who profess Christianity. One has an outspoken Pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and the other has accepted endorsements from outspoken Pastors, Pastors John Hagee and Rod Parsley, all men of God. Now, all Pastors have their view of world events and politics from a spiritual perspective, but we have seen how the media has replayed those comments in an endless loop! All I hear is "chickens flying back to the coop!"

Now, I'm curious to see what the response will be now. Senator Obama had to denounce his Pastor's views so he wouldn't isolate patriotic Americans and Senator McCain had to denounce Pastor Hagee and Parsley's views so he wouldn't offend the Catholics and others. I see so much denouncing going on, I don't what the candidates stand for anymore. Are they denouncing the word of God? Because that what these Pastors are preaching, the prophetic word of God. God says in His word that His word is foolishness to those who do not know of Him. Many are taking quotes out of context. That is why it is imperative that we test the fruits to see if they are of God!

I believe God is allowing the egg to be put in our face as Christians because we want to make one Pastor wrong and others right. We want to endorse our candidates instead of God's candidates. We have our own agendas.

We can't be loyal to a political party, our race, or our gender. We, Christians, have to be loyal to the word of God! Everyone has their own agenda. We have to ask God what is his agenda. We missed the opportunity to put in a Pastor, Mike Huckabee. Christian Pastors did not even endorse him, the very same Pastors that endorsed McCain! What are we doing? When I saw this endorsement on television, I gasped! How could Christian Pastors not endorse Christian Pastors. What is really going on? What type of backroom deals are being negotiated to make us to go against God's appointed people? We need to check ourselves!!!

What are our motives? God is watching us. This reminds me of how God appointed a leader to the people but they wanted their own. God gave them their own and the people suffered. So now, we will have to live with the choices we have made. Our seed is our vote and we have sown seeds that we will have to reap for four years. I pray that our Christians Presidential candidates will not denounce the word of God. I pray that as they have professed their Christianity to get their votes, they will be doers of the word and not hearers only.


Let's stop the hypocrisy and pray before you vote!