Hope, Politics, and all that jazz

On a recent Tuesday people across the US gathered at polling places to elect a new president. I have been struck, in this election especially, by all the talk of hope. For, President-elect, Barack Obama, hope was a major and open campaign theme, but even McCain was really appealing to peoples hopes. He was telling people that he could solve their problems, that they should put their hope in him.

I suppose, really, that ever election, every choice is about hope. One hopes that pie will taste better than this one, or that that car will work better than this one; but in politics the hope is often a deeper hope: it is the hope that someone will solve our many problems, will protect us from harm, and give us a peace and security. It is a hope that no person, except Jesus Christ, can ever fill.

What bothers me the most, is that we, the Church that is called by Christ name, seem to have forgotten where our hope is. It is not just those who are trying to use politics to legislate heart issues who have lost their hope; but even those of us who have decryed politics as ineffective solution to the worlds problems, have sought hope in social organizations and public services. During this election season I have read numerous articles that outlined a Christian response to politics. Many of these authors felt that the proper response to a hurting world was to live the love of Christ toward the poor and needy. To this solution I say amen, and I would add another key step. WE MUST PRAY.

I have been saddened by the lack of prayer in Americas churches. Our brothers and sisters from around the world speak of prayer meetings that begin in the early hours of the morning (like, three or four) and last for hours. The speak of thousands of people gathering together to call on the name of the Lord, to beg mercy and grace for themselves and their nations. One of my Cuban friends was telling me of a fifty day prayer schedule they printed out for their people, and how they prayed night and day, for their country. In the U.S. we pray together two or three times a week, once before the sermon and once after. Occasionally we'll also pray to open Sunday school. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 the Lord tells Solomon, "IF my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Feeding the poor and hungry is as hopeless as pursuing a political solution to hear problems...if we are not praying. Our God's answer is not just loving those around us, it is prayerfully loving those around us.