Win or Lose: A Call to Prayer and Unity

By State Representative Mesha Mainor (R-Atlanta)

(699 words)

1 Timothy 2:1 - 4 says, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Timothy does not say that leaders are holy, will be perfect, lead without flaw or even be the best choice for our lives. But Timothy does say that when we pray and show kindness to those in leadership, peace will reign in our hearts. And even more than that, being unkind and holding bitterness against those in office, is not pleasing to Him.

The message is not of division or resentment but one of unshakable unity. Timothy never promised that leaders would be perfect or that they would meet all of our expectations. He simply urged us to lift them up in prayer so that peace may fill our hearts.

Now, imagine what might have happened if we had embraced that wisdom fully. What if, as a nation, we had prayed fervently for both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris? Romans 13:1 says, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."

In our fractured world, these words can be the light to lead us.

While this Word wasn't shared from the pulpits of our churches in recent years, they could be our rallying cry tomorrow in Wednesday night Bible studies or this Sunday.

Scripture is God's voice, His call to us, and we each have a choice: to follow it or to ignore it. Timothy's message is simple: however we feel, however we may criticize or judge those in power, our first duty is to pray. Prayer is the love letter we write to God, the act of surrender that says, 'I trust you, I trust your plan, and I'll do my part to let your will be done.'

It is tempting to assign blame or label others as the enemy or even the devil, but satan is not a man on Earth that God created. Rather, satan is an invisibleness of darkness that requires God's light to see. Colossians 1:16 - 17 reminds us, "For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him."

As we weather storms like Helene and feel the intensity of political upheaval, we must ask, could these storms be part of God's refining process, leaving us in a trail of disarray and heavy hearts, questioning His sovereignty? Just as nature's storms reshape the land, the storms in our lives can reveal the cracks in our foundations, giving us the chance to rebuild our faith.

On Election Day, I woke up with God's spirit having a dance party in my soul and my heart was the dance floor! I prayed deeply, knowing that I followed His call. A text from a new friend reminded me of why I'm here, which said, "You truly left it all on the field - heart, passion and purpose. Win or lose, you showed courage and dedication that inspired everyone around you." I believe that was God's call to me all along, "Win or lose, pour your heart into this. Follow Him boldly, love His people fiercely and leave no part of yourself hidden or afraid."

Even now, when hate-filled messages still find their way to me because I switched parties, when insults come like arrows, I rest in His light. His love is my shelter, and His words are my compass. To my fellow candidates, to Americans everywhere, let's unite under the promise of Philippians 4:6, which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Amen. God bless America, and may you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Representative Mesha Mainor represents the citizens of District 56, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves on the Education, Governmental Affairs, Regulated Industries and State Planning & Community Affairs committees.

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