October Prayer Guide

We are in the massive throes of Election Season. At this point, many of us would are ready to hide in a cave until after it is all over! It might help you to know that even Jesus voted. Read below to find out how He did it:

In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God. When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles:  Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;  Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot;  Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. (Luke 6:12-16)

Jesus prayed all night before making His “vote.” Among all of those who followed Him, He had to choose a select few who would be His specific Apostles. According to Luke’s Gospel, Jesus had created a rather distinct group of disciples; so much so that our Lord had to pray all night long before making His decision. And remember; these men would become the foundation for the Church for all eternity!

So who did Jesus choose? We don’t know about all of them, but we do know this:

· He chose one Tax Man

· He chose at least four Laborers; in today’s vernacular, they would likely be Union men

· He chose one Political Activist (Simon the Zealot)

· At least some commentators think Judas Iscariot was possibly a scholar of some sort, an educated man; obviously that didn’t work out too well in the long run

We know who Jesus did NOT choose: He did not “vote” for anyone from the ruling classes: no lifelong politicians or lawyers; no one from the Military (not that He could have); and no one from the established religious sector.

· How does it affect your perspective when you realize who Jesus “voted” for?

· Are you able to visualize Jesus voting for your preferred candidate? Why or why not?

· Have you considered praying for any length of time about who to vote for, or do you have it already sorted out? If you already know who you are voting for, how did you decide? The Son of God had to pray all night before making His choice; how is it you feel you don’t have to pray about your choice?

· What issues do you think are most important in this election? Are these issues the most important ones to God? How do you know? What has the Lord told you about these concerns? When did He speak to you about them?

· Are you willing to go before the Lord and ask Him to search your heart and mind about these matters? If not, why not? If you are, how much time are you willing to give the Lord…a day? A week? From now until the election?