Historical and Biblical Perspective on Voting
America’s Founding Fathers were acutely aware of the importance of elections. They believed that the faith and character of every individual elected to office was vital to the future health of our nation, and they valued the privilege of representative government under the guidance of Almighty God.
This resource document contains facts and quotes that support the Christian responsibility to be involved in the election process, not only by voting, but also by praying for every facet of the election.
History of Voting
The Constitution of the United States of America gave American men the right to vote. The Constitution was ratified in 1788, after years of bitter debate by America’s Founding Fathers. It is the work of many well-educated minds and stands today as a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise.
The Founding Fathers used the wisdom of their time gleaned through personal experience, education, prayer and a wealth of written information in face-to-face discussions, letters and newspaper articles to create a simple Constitution that created the world’s most free society.
Several Amendments have since increased the number of Americans who hold the right to vote.
- 1789 -- The U.S. Constitution gave men with property the right to vote and states the responsibility to determine the qualifications to vote, who would be the state legislatures and to appoint Electors to the Electoral College to select a president.
- 1870 15th Amendment eliminated racial barriers
- 1913 17th Amendment provides for direct popular vote of U.S. Senators and Electors
- 1920 19th Amendment eliminated gender barriers
- 1964 24th Amendment eliminated poll taxes
- 1971 26th Amendment established the voting age at 18
While more Americans now have the right to vote, the number of Americans who exercise this right continues to dwindle. Today, less than one in four Christians votes. A staggering 24 million Christians aren’t even registered to vote.
Quotes from America’s Founders and Patriots
From the 18th Century
"If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes." -- Daniel Webster
“When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty.” -- Noah Webster
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." -- Thomas Paine
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." -- William Penn
From the 19th Century
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” -- Abraham Lincoln
From the 20th Century
“The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter.” -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” -- John F. Kennedy
"In a world that might say one vote doesn't matter..., it does matter because each person is of infinite worth and value to God... Your vote is a declaration of importance as a person and a citizen." -- Billy Graham
From the 21st Century
"We have a duty to our country to participate in the political process. See, if you believe in freedom, you have a duty to exercise your right to vote to begin with. I'm [here] to encourage people to do their duty, to go to the polls. I want all people, no matter what their political party is or whether they even like a political party, to exercise their obligation to vote." -- George W. Bush
“Our first civic duty is to vote. If you don’t vote, you are abandoning the biblical obligation to be a responsible citizen.” -- Chuck Colson
Quotes from the Bible
The entire book of Esther is about a young queen who sought the prayers of a nation to save a condemned Jewish people. Because of those prayers, the king lifted the condemnation and “The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.” (Esther 8:16). Here are a few select quotes from elsewhere in the Bible.
On the Sovereignty of Public Officials
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." --Romans 13:1
On the Responsibility to Vote
"Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment." --Deuteronomy 16:18
On the Power of Prayer for a Nation
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.-- 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Does One Vote Count?
When asked why they don’t vote, many Americans say they wonder if their vote really counts. Consider the following.
- Texas was admitted to the Union in 1845 by one vote.
- Hitler won leadership of the German Nazi Party in 1923 by one vote.
- The US House of Representatives, in 1801, elected Thomas Jefferson as President of the United States by one vote.
- In 1941, the Selective Service Art (the draft) was saved by one vote just weeks before Pearl Harbor was attacked.
- John F. Kennedy won the presidency by less than one vote per precinct
Yes, one vote counts. If you aren't already, register to vote. The next time you have the opportunity, vote. But don't vote until you've both researched the candidates and prayed for God's guidance and wisdom about who would be His choice for each office.
Many thanks to ThePresidentialPrayerTeam.org for this article. Please visit their site. Remember to pray before you vote.
~~Please be sure that you vote for the correct godly man to be the next President. Be careful, and do not think voting to be a slight responsibility, we will be held accountable one day for our descision.~~
And please keep us in your prayers we are in the midst of the area who will have riots-REMEMBER THE LORD IS STILL IN CONTROL NO MATTER WHAT IS THE OUTCOME-
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