Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:15-20

Dear God, I don’t want to be thoughtless in what I do. I’m even about to go and try to vote. I don’t want to be thoughtless in that process either. I know in the grand scheme of things that my one vote will probably not move the needle between who wins and who loses, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t take it seriously. Prayerfully. Thoughtfully.

Then there is the part about putting myself in a position to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I want to be filled with you. But what do I need to do to put myself in that position? It won’t just happen. I need to go back to those things I said a few weeks ago about the floor. What is the minimum I need to be doing each day? I need to spend this time with you. I need to keep myself pure. I need to regulate what I take into my eyes and ears. I need to give. I need to love.

Father, if I can just put myself in a position and set myself up in a good situation where I can be filled with your Holy Spirit then that will go a long way towards me bearing out the fruits of your Spirit. So I start with this time of worship. I worship you, Father. And I trust you. Regardless of the outcomes of the election as they compare with the candidates for whom I will vote, I am going to put my trust in you. You are my God. I worship you and you alone. Help me to spread that peace to other Christians around me who are concerned about the outcome of this election. And help me to spread your peace to non-Christians around me as well.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen