Allen Jackson reveals how ‘insufficient understanding of Scripture’ drives non-voting
Allen Jackson is on a prayer-filled mission to assist Christians navigate the complexities of an ever-contentious election cycle, providing recommendation on how one can reply if one’s chosen candidate loses.
Jackson, pastor of World Outreach Church in Nashville, Tennessee, noticed his church arrange a 48-hour prayer occasion over the weekend, encouraging believers to raise America as much as God.
“We’ve been praying for our nation for weeks and weeks now but, as we approach the election, we wanted to make a bit of a more focused effort,” he just lately informed “Higher Ground With Billy Hallowell.” “So, we took out a 48-hour block of time.”
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World Outreach Church then invited individuals to hitch collectively to hope for the nation, encouraging them to coalesce to enchantment to God — and take motion.
“We don’t want to stand on the sidelines and watch what’s happening,” he mentioned. “We want to be participants in what God is doing in the Earth.”
Take heed to him clarify:
Jackson additionally responded to stories that tens of thousands and thousands of Christians will not be voting in 2024, expressing his perception that withholding a vote is not useful.
“Some of us have kind of been trained that what our assignment is to pray and then that God does everything else,” he mentioned. “And I’m a tremendous advocate for prayer, but I think that’s an inadequate understanding of Scripture and our role with our journey through time.”
Jackson continued, “I believe that God provides all we need for our lives, but if I sit in my house and pray for food and I don’t plant the garden, I’m probably going to get hungry. And I think if we want a civil government that is God-honoring, then I think we have to be engaged in the process.”
The preacher likened the dynamic to praying for therapeutic however nonetheless in search of a physician for therapy.
“I think Christians need to vote, must vote — no excuses,” Jackson mentioned.
As for a way believers — and all Individuals — ought to react if the election does not go the best way they need, the preacher provided some recommendation.
“It’s better if we process it early than not wait until real-time,” Jackson mentioned. “And if the election outcome doesn’t satisfy you — whatever your imagined or preferred outcome was — I think we have to recognize that we still have an assignment.”
He added that Christians “have a future beyond time” and a deeper mission outdoors of mere electoral wins.
“I like to think of elections … it’s kind of the equivalent of a stress test when you go to the doctor for a physical,” Jackson mentioned. “You get on the treadmill, and they hook you up to the EKG, and maybe they monitor your oxygen intake or output. It’s a snapshot of your physical health. It doesn’t make you … less healthy or sick. It’s just an evaluation.”
In the identical vein, he mentioned elections are an analysis of the nation’s non secular well being, with the one who is chosen serving as a illustration of values and insurance policies. In the end, some Individuals — and Christians — may not like the results of sure elections, to which Jackson has some recommendation.
“What I would say to the Christians: if you’re disappointed by the outcome of the election, it’s not time to panic,” he mentioned. “It’s time to begin to seek the Lord in a new way. We’ve got to change some behaviors, change how we engage with culture.”
Jackson inspired believers to hunt “greater influence” of their God-given spheres of affect.
“The election is really an evaluation of where we are,” he continued. “It’s not the beginning of the end. God’s still on the throne and the sun will come up tomorrow. We may not like the outcomes and the consequences may be difficult for a season, but that’s the nature of our journey through time.”
This text initially appeared on CBN’s Faithwire.
“Well bless their hearts.”
