Sentinel Watch January 17, 2011 Issue

A vote for good government everywhere

John Minard

The recent disputed elections in the nation of Ivory Coast have helped me see the importance of prayer for government—not just where I live, but everywhere. In this case, the incumbent, who was defeated, is still refusing to relinquish his post, even though the election of his opponent was seen as free and fair. South Africa’s president and others have attempted to mediate the situation, but at this writing, the situation has taken a threatening turn.

It’s easy to feel exempt from the issues societies different from our own face, and think that nothing like that could happen where we live. No human system can totally provide for the needs and protection of citizens. But when informed by prayer, we can gain peace about governmental issues, and our decisions become less about people, politics, or party, and more about such things as wisdom, honesty, and stability in government.

One support for my own prayers has been the “Daily Prayer”—given to everyone, not just Christian Scientists—by Mary Baker Eddy. This prayer helps us affirm, each day, God’s government in our lives: “ ‘Thy kingdom come;’ let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!” (Church Manual, p. 41).

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