Time to Pray for “the Other Guy”

9

Last night during my sermon on loving your enemies, I was convicted about something. That doesn’t happen very often—conviction while I’m preaching, I mean. I’m usually convicted about my shortcomings during the ongoing, ordinary, day-to-day stuff of life. But last night while I was preaching, the thought occurred to me that I needed to start praying for the “other guy.” I had prayed for him a few times before, and it seemed to do my soul some good. But last night I felt convicted that I needed to start praying for him every day between now and November 4.Who is the “other guy"? It’s the guy I’m not voting for on November 4. Doesn’t matter what his name is because I’m not voting for him. I’ve made up my mind and I can’t be moved away from my decision. There isn’t anything he could do or say that could change my vote. Let me say frankly that your “other guy” may be the guy I’m going to vote for. Fine. So be it. I’m not here to tell you how to vote or even to argue the matter.   But the increase in hostility, frustration, malice, name-calling, taunting, dissembling, rumor mongering, and general anger about the election can be seen and heard and felt all over the country. If I were so inclined, I could do a rhetorical flourish and say, “And all this name-calling and hostility and the animosity that exists, it must stop here and now.” That and about $5 might get you a nice cup of fancy coffee. The animosity isn’t going to stop because people are increasingly dug in about “their guy.” So I propose something more modest and achievable. Starting today, say a prayer for “the other guy"  and his running mate every day between now and November 4. And don’t use prayer as a weapon against him. Pray for him, for his wife and children, pray for God’s blessing upon him. Pray for God to guide his steps. Pray that God will speak to him and that he will listen. We all have a role to play. Through prayer we can do our part to free ourselves from anger and frustration by praying for someone with whom we have profound differences. Since I truly believe in the power of prayer, I think the “other guy” will benefit somehow from  my prayers. I know it will do my own soul good. So that’s my commitment. I’m going to pray for the “other guy” every day between now and November 4. Care to join me?

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Visitor Comments:

October 19, 2008, 12:10 AM Skip says:
	Pastor Ray, Count me in...great advice!
October 19, 2008, 8:16 PM judyshub says:
	I’m in!
October 20, 2008, 3:05 AM pray for persicution says:
	i hope you heard the persicution of orissa,india. I am and some of our church members, believers attacked ,looted by non-christian. so this is right time to pray for others....please pray for us and these persicuted area. pastor baula,india
October 20, 2008, 8:52 AM bjs70206 says:
	I have been doing this for awhile, praying for both candidates, vp’s and President Bush and VP Cheney. I have a peace about this election now.
October 21, 2008, 9:12 AM JIM + PAM says:
	RAY, I WANT TO JOIN YOUR CHALLANGE AND PRAY FOR THE OTHER GUY. AND FOR OUR COUNTRY. TAKE CARE YOUR FRIEND IN CHRIST. JIM LOOK FOREWARD TO SEEING YOU AT WORD OF LIFE IN JULY.
October 21, 2008, 11:55 AM coondog says:
	thats what paul told timothy
October 25, 2008, 4:16 PM Ray Pritchard says:
	I just remembered that I haven’t prayed for any of the guys yet today—mine or “the other guy.” Time to do it right now. Ray
November 6, 2008, 10:35 AM eag1eye says:
	Why stop with Nov. 4th? It is our privilege and duty to pray for our leaders. Remember, the heart of the king is like water in the hands of the Lord. So, keep on praying.
November 6, 2008, 11:21 AM Ray Pritchard says:
	I agree. We need to keep on praying—now more than ever. No matter how we voted, the election is over and our new president needs our prayers—and we need to be praying for him. Ray