In case you haven't heard (!), there's an election next week. Most of the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs (about 20 House members are running unopposed). In addition, there are 35 U.S. Senate races.
How Election 2026 will turn out is anyone's guess, but the current Republican majority in the House is slim. If Republicans lose just one seat, they will lose the majority, and Democrats will claim control of the chamber (and of every House committee and subcommittee). In the Senate, a loss of four Republican seats will put Democrats in control there.
In addition to congressional contests, there are gubernatorial contests, races for state legislative seats, school boards, and city councils.
The stakes are high, and both parties are working extra hard to get their voters to the polls (or cast votes by whatever means a state allows).
Can your vote really make a difference?
It's easy to fall for the idea that "My vote doesn't matter." I know people who think that, and I empathize. I have lived in cities and counties where my political views were in the minority.
Still, one never knows how much impact a single vote can have. A few years ago, the town I lived in had a closely fought mayoral race. My preferred candidate won — by a single vote.
I was stunned. If my wife and I hadn't voted for him, he would have lost. But he won and went on to serve multiple terms.
Most election outcomes aren't that dramatic, but sometimes history turns on a single vote or a handful of votes. Years ago, the late radio newscaster and commentator Paul Harvey wrote a piece titled "Just One Vote" that he often repeated around Election Day.
In 1948, just one additional vote in each precinct would have elected Dewey. In 1960, one vote in each precinct in Illinois would have elected Nixon. One vote....
More? Thomas Jefferson was elected president by one vote in the Electoral College. So was John Quincy Adams. One vote gave statehood to California, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington....
Over 200 million Americans are eligible to vote this year. Less than half will. Plato said it: "The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men" [paraphrased].
So your vote is important.... Because everything we've won in 10 wars at the point of a gun can be taken away one vote at a time.
Vote, yes, but pray too
Under our form of government, voting is part of our Christian responsibility as stewards. But we must also trust in God's providence, not in political parties and leaders.
One theological dictionary defines providence as "the benevolent oversight, provision and purpose of God in directing the natural world, the flow of history, and the circumstances of each individual life."
I can't explain how providence works in elections and matters of government, but I am persuaded that we should pray regularly for God's providential care over our nation, states, cities, and communities.
Here are two prayers from an old prayer book that have been helpful in guiding my election-related prayers.
Before an election Grant that in the exercise of their choice they may promote thy glory, and the welfare of our Nation.
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For the civil order
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In God We Trust
I hope you will pray these prayers and, of course, exercise your Christian stewardship by voting and otherwise participating in the political process.
And whatever the outcome next week, may we who follow Jesus Christ heed the words of Psalm 37:
Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture....
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret — it leads only to evil....
Hope in the LORD and keep his way. (Psalm 37:3,8,34a)
