When you go to the polls tomorrow-it is an American privilege. but we remember it is also a duty under God to be a loyal and obedient citizen.

Depending on your precinct, some of you will vote in schools, others in township halls, churches, or firehouses. 

In Philadelphia, some folks previously questioned how appropriate it was to have one polling place in the First Ward Democratic headquarters, but that's how it is.  There is great potential for manipulation and fraud whenever sinful people have such an undertaking.  We pray this election will be above suspicion.

The polling place, when I was growing up was in our house.  We cleared out the furniture in our den and put up the voting booths.  There was a long picnic table for the workers and every few minutes my mother would go onto the front porch and draw a line through the names of our neighbors who had voted.  Anyone could go then, I suppose, and encourage others to come and share their voice and vote. 

This hasn't been a polite campaign season in 2008, a civil activity without a lot of civility.  Many races are downright personal and ugly.  It just proves every candidate like each of us is a fallen human being.  That's why we must pray for our officials.

St. Paul told Timothy, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 

Make your voting an act of worship tomorrow, an expression of your trust in the all-embracing grace of God proclaimed in the Gospel, and recognition of government as a beneficial function of the law of God. 

Pray for the candidates, even for those who are extreme in their views because no one can hope to serve rightly without the favor of God.  Pray also for our fellow citizens.  Never in the history of our nation has wisdom and forethought been more necessary than this year in the selection of a president.  Pray that this land not decline under irresponsible or erroneous beliefs.  Pray that the Lord will grant us good leaders over clever ones, judicious leaders over the untrustworthy.  And pray that we, by exercising our privilege as citizens, may be worthy of superior leaders and not receive what foolishness deserves.

Remember by your prayer more than your vote, you influence the course of nations.