2020 US Presidential Election: Some Spiritual Reflections

The United States votes every four years in the presidential elections. Campaigns are becoming increasingly longer and frightfully more costly. Once the voting ceases, however, the country normally knows who’s the winner within hours.

But this is the year 2020 and nothing has been normal. We have had the most serious pandemic since the Spanish flu a century earlier. Countries went into lockdown, affecting the citizenry and the economy. Australia has had its first recession in 30 years. Then there were the American riots and continued social unrest. And when November 3rd passed, in stead of having the issue resolved, as of this writing, we have a contested election that is heading for the courts.

Yet there is a recent historic precedent: 20 years ago the 2000 Presidential Election between Vice-President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush also went to the courts. Even though Bush was immediately called the winner, America had to wait 6 weeks to see who the next President would be.

Here are a few reflections on the 2020 election:

1.       The Shaking: The pandemic, lockdowns, social unrest, contested election, are part of the larger picture of a universal shaking (see Haggai 2:6 & Hebrews 12:25-29). While some people see this turbulence as divine judgement (for the unrighteous), others as divine chastening (for the righteous), the shaking affects all people, the righteous and unrighteous. God speaks in times like these and if we can take hold and obey His Word, we will all be better off for it.

2.       World interest: Of course, it is normal for the world to take interest in who will win the US presidential election. For decades, as the sole superpower, the United States is considered the leader of the free world. To some extent, the world is affected by what happens out of Washington. Yet, this particular election, and its aftermath, has caught the imagination of the world like no other. Global citizens are watching and many are praying.

3.       The most important election: For decades during an election year, people say, ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime.’ One of the clearest things about Election 2020: it really is the most important. Why? It is not just about the candidates involved, but about the worldview on offer. For years, there wasn’t much variance between the two major political parties on a range of issues. In 2020, there is a Grand Canyon-sized difference. One party is leftist globalist, the other right-leaning nationalist; one party is pro-abortion, the other pro-life; one party is motivated by progressivism, identity politics, intersectionality, while the other has an America first agenda; one party sees America as systemically racist, the other that America is good and exceptional; one party has been influenced by cultural Marxism while the other advocates Judaeo-Christian / Western values.

4.       The Spiritual Dimension: There has been intense spiritual activity at work in the United States and around the world. see that above all these issues is the active spiritual realm. Strongholds of lawlessness, rebellion, hatred, fear, violence, division, deception, cancel-culture, Marxism, Jezebel, and Moloch, are firing up. How can we respond to these challenges? Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 are a good place to start.

5.       Prophecy: There have been credible prophetic voices speaking about the outcome of this election. If you believe these prophecies, stand on them … that’s how you can fight the good fight of faith. Paul says1 Timothy 1:18: This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.

6.       Prayer: Much individual, group, and mass corporate prayer has been offered during campaign 2020, including prayer marches on Washington, DC. One Australian wrote that he has never prayed so much in his entire life as he had for the 2020 US election. Other people in other countries are doing the same. A great exhortation comes from Ephesians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Pray for mercy on the United States, God’s will to be done, and a quick resolution of the electoral impasse.

7.       Perseverance: It’s simple. If the battle continues, then keep going. Galatians 6:9 promises we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.

8.       Revival: If many of us have been praying more than ever, and it is worldwide, think about it … we are preparing for revival - 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Remember that effectual fervent prayer is like casting a ballot in heaven, with the blessings raining back on the earth. Ask the LORD that His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven — Matthew 6:9-13.