Posted on 11/27/2016 4:14:59 PM PST by ReformationFan
Countless Americans who woke up on the morning after the election sensed their prayers had been answered and a calamity had been averted. If we have been given this reprieve, then we should use it to turn back to God…
To those Americans concerned about the moral state of the nation, the immediate reaction to the November 8 elections was one of enormous relief. It was as if a colossal amount of pressure was suddenly released. There was the thrill of something entirely unexpected. People were overjoyed beyond words.
Adding to the intense drama, there was the sensation that a great danger was taken from our path. We had averted a dead-end situation for which there were no human solutions. We were somehow saved from a terrible calamity that had seemed so imminent.
Two main elements contributed to this perception of inevitable disaster. The first was that so much was at stake—the Supreme Court, anti-abortion laws, socialist big government programs, massive regulations and even the specter of persecution for the Faith. The candidate that represented all these things enjoyed all the prestige of the media and the favor of the pollsters. The foreboding of a sinister outcome could not have been greater.
The second element was the lack of a moral solution proportional to the level of the crisis. Moral conservatives were faced with a candidate that was universally acknowledged as flawed and many considered as merely the lesser of two evils. This was an election of desperation not enthusiasm because the alternative was just too awful to fathom. Significant sectors of the electorate, however, did not feel they could unite around a candidate that did not share many of their values.
And then it happened. A startled electorate watched the results come in and saw the numbers slowly shift in their favor with a sweep of the White House, both houses of Congress, and a record number of state houses.
Analysts are still scrambling to explain the unexpected results of the elections. They point to abstract categories like the blue-collar vote, the white vote or the Catholic vote. For them, all elections are number games and media shows. They believe the outcome depends on who plays the game best and spends the most.
There was, however, another factor outside the game that should not be underestimated. In the face of an impending disaster, many Americans did something that they do not often do in political situations like these. They prayed.
Prayer is not something that can be measured by polls or political observers. And since it cannot be quantified, those without faith treat them as something quaint and childish hardly worth of consideration. But in an election where all the rules of the game were broken, there is no reason to rule out the influence of prayer. The fact is many Americans did pray in the weeks and days leading up to that fateful November day when the course of the nation was decided.
Not only did they pray, but it appears they prayed hard. All across America, there were prayer vigils, rosaries, novenas and benediction services that were mentioned on social media or announced in church bulletins. Some fasted for the nation. Thousands gathered and prayed in the public square. Others simply poured out their souls to God in almost Biblical manner asking for His aid in their moments of affliction. And as is common with such prayers, there was an implicit promise that if we were delivered from this trial, we would turn back to God.
Of course, to suggest that this prayer might have had something to do with the final results of an election is anathema. None dare whisper it for it is so politically incorrect.
But in this election that broke all the rules, why not break one more rule and shout it about? The fact is countless Americans who woke up on the morning of November 9 after the election sensed their prayers had been answered beyond all expectations. They sensed unexplainable Christian joy and hope in seeing a calamity had been averted. They were convinced in the depths of their souls that God had heard their prayers. They were energized by the results, and are determined to turn back to God.
This is not to say that God endorsed the winning candidate (he lost the popular vote) only that He heard the cries of those who were afflicted and found a way to deliver them from a catastrophic future. The victory may have been due much more to those who called it forth with their prayers than the efforts of its flawed victor.
God also did not grant total victory. However, many feel He has given America a great reprieve, a second chance, to get it right with Him.
If we have been given this reprieve, then we should use it to turn back to God. We should keep our part of the bargain and turn back to Him and His law. There is no time to be complacent or delve into purely economic solutions that sidestep the moral crisis in America. The fervent prayers must continue. Above all, we must also make sure our elected officials follow through on their promises of a platform that puts God first and thus will truly make America great.
Indeed, we have a little time, a short reprieve. We would do well to use this time wisely. This election has shown what can be done. If we uphold God’s law, we can count on Him to break all the rules.
Joining you likewise in prayer, every night.
I was born and raised Jewish (Bar Mitzvah’d and confirmed though 8 years of Sunday school), and throughout my life have dabbled in Hinduism (high school) and Zen Buddhism (have a black belt in zen sword). I was an atheist for 15 years during and after college (although I’m not one now). I’ve never beeen a Christian, although I am so grateful that the founders of this nation were Christians, and that Christianity was at the core of Western Civilization.
Over the years, I have developed my own personal understanding of God, which I won’t get into here.
But I can say that I prayed out loud many times to God to PLEEEEEEEEZZZEEE let Trump be elected instead of Hillary in order to save our nation.
And I do believe that God answered those prayers.
And for that, I am eternally grateful.
I also pray that God will guide Trump in carrying out his presidential responsibilities.
Yes, for about two weeks... the praying cannot stop.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Never stop. This election is proof that prayer is powerful. There is much to do and the Almighty hand is absolutely necessary it this struggle.
Yes ... the good Lord did ... NOW ... lets NOT squander that well needed reprieve
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world give. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”....Amen....
totally agree - the praying MUST continue on throughout President Trump’s transition, inauguration, and then his term in office.
People may get tired of praying so earnestly - but it’s the least we can do - we who believe in the power of prayer.
“Did God Just Grant America a Great Reprieve?”
Yes, just like He did Noah. Just enough time to get our sh!t together.
I don’t know whether God granted us a great reprieve or a small one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was a YUUUUUUUUUUGE reprieve. Yuuuuuuuuge.
Papa Francisco was of no assistance.
Great article. Thanks for posting.
Huge? Perhaps. Perhaps not. That depends what we do with the time we have been given. This could be merely a 4-8 year delay before catastrophe. How much support will President Trump get from his voters . . . and how much pressure will Trump’s big government opponents get from us.
If we don’t roll back restrictions on the Second Amendment, roll back Obamacare, roll back the general growth and intrusiveness of big government, secure the border and deport illegals, and in general take back our country, this will all be a waste.
“the praying MUST continue on throughout President Trump’s transition, inauguration, and then his term in office.
People may get tired of praying so earnestly - but it’s the least we can do - we who believe in the power of prayer.”
Totally agree!
Ditto...
“All anyone had to do was look at the size of those rallies to know he was going to win big.”
I’m not so sure about that. Trump won, and even won by a good number of electoral votes, but he didn’t win in the popular vote. His rallies told us about enthusiasm (which was strong), but Hillary STILL won more votes. Mind you, I think Hillary might have lost the popular vote if it were not for illegals voting for her.
Gideon (of the Bible) won a great victory over their enemies with 300 men instead of the original 30,000 he had first called up for battle. God had him do this to show "it was by HIS (God's) hand that victory was achieved and not by the power of Gideon and his forces".
By a few thousand votes in the three key states Trump won. I believe it was indeed by God's hand.
Fascinating book isn’t it. I read it some time ago
excellent EXCELLENT POST!!! I say a hearty AMEN and we need to THANK GOD and turn to HIM again as a nation.
I have seen several “ Pray for America” yard signs in our area. I think it would be wise to start braving up, and proclaiming this to our cities...
I will go to my grave believing this was a miracle answering our prayers.
“If we have been given this reprieve, then we should use it to turn back to God.”
AMEN! It could not be better stated.
But the sad truth is prosperity and blessing usually result in our forgetting God, and turning from Him. See Deut. 8:10 - 14 (please read this passage).
It is the sad record of history that this is typically our response to blessing - may we all PRAY THAT GOD’S GRACE will lead us back to Himself during this time of His intervention in our nation’s path to suicide........for if we do not, it will only have been postponed......
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