JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Baptist leaders who increasingly have been promoting the idea of renewal, revival, and spiritual awakening as the only hope for America are now focused on an Oct. 7 proclamation.
The “Day of Prayer and Humiliation Before the Lord” is viewed by both the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Board and the Christian Life Commission (CLC) as vital preparation for the Nov. 6 general election. CLC Chairman David Krueger, pastor, First Baptist Church, Linn, explains why.
“There is an urgency, particularly with this national election, simply because of the condition we find America in politically,” Krueger said. “We seem to be a divided nation. Obviously economically we have millions of people who are suffering either with unemployment or underemployment. We have serious social issues facing our nation, particularly right now with the homosexual issue and whether or not we’re going to as a nation redefine marriage. So these are all issues of significant importance to us as Americans and as Christians.”
Krueger, who has served more than 25 years as pastor of First Linn, is well aware that he has no authority to declare that Oct. 7 be a day of prayer in Missouri Baptist life. Considering the gravity of the situation in our land, though, he is hopeful that the call to pray will be heeded. The purpose of the day is to humble ourselves, seek God’s face, and pray for God’s providential will to be accomplished in the election.
“One Baptist can’t tell another Baptist what to do, but we are in fellowship with each other, and we can encourage fellow Baptists to do what we know is the biblical thing to do,” Krueger said. “In this case, it’s to pray. The Apostle James said it very clearly that the effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much. If we believe that, then how can we not pray for something as important as a national election?”
Krueger is an example of a Missouri Baptist pastor who has maintained a good connection with his church members over the years on social issues.
“I think one of the benefits of a long-term pastorate is my people trust me in these kinds of decisions,” he said. “It doesn’t mean I’m always right, but they’ve come to trust my judgment, particularly on moral and ethical issues. Privately I’ve had any number of people over the years, almost every four years, come to me and ask me who should I vote for. I always tell them the same thing: ‘I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, but I’ll tell you who I’m voting for and why.’ And I always tell them you need to make your vote a matter of prayer.
“You need to vote with a biblical worldview in mind. You need to vote for people who as close as they can will match your worldview. Our job as Christians is to take what the Word of God has to say in every area of life and to bring our attitudes, our views, our behavior in line with the gospel. Too often we vote for a political candidate for non-biblical reasons. They look good. They sound good. They promise the proverbial chicken in every pot. I don’t think that’s a biblical reason for voting for somebody.”
Krueger said that if Oct. 7 does not work out for a local church the “Day of Prayer and Humiliation Before the Lord” can be held on another Sunday or even a Wednesday night.