When turmoil consumes a great nation and disagreements about the role of government abound, what is a Christian to do? Where does the faithful individual turn for guidance? Where can a reliable source for Christian conduct be found; the national media or the local church? Is there one moral leader for the Christian masses or many? What does God have to say about the separation of church and state? Does the separation of church and state mean passive submission to government policy? Are we to believe Dietrich Bon Hoeffer, a German theologian when he says “politics are not the task of a Christian?” Are we to gladly render unto Caesar what is his, i.e. taxes, as Jesus said in Mark 12:17 “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

These questions have plagued America throughout its history. The answer has remained the same. God’s word to man in the form of the Bible is the only authority for Christians to turn to when contemplating life’s concerns. God in his infinite wisdom did not leave his people without guidance when it comes to the complexities of politics.

Jesus understood there would be difficulties facing God’s people and they would need a reliable source to turn to in those difficult times. His followers would have to be able to turn to truth; God’s word, to be protected from the evil one. How is one to find truth? We know that every word of God is truth, but is being aware of where to find truth enough?

Truth, knowledge, and wisdom are only effective when put into action. Luke 2:52 states Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man. Wisdom was his intellectual growth, stature was his physical growth, favor with God was his spiritual growth, and favor with man was his social development. Wisdom was a major part of Jesus’ life and should be a part of every Christian’s life as well. In the following pages this invaluable tool, wisdom, will be defined, exampled, and hopefully put into practice by the reader.

Armed with the tools of prayer and wisdom, the political upheaval facing America today, as well as in other countries, will be less formidable. Relying upon Scripture for living in a politically charged atmosphere will aid those trying to live as ambassadors for Christ. Prayer and wisdom will make it possible for Christians to survive and to even be victorious through policy changes affecting each of us in our community and family lives.

By combining prayer and wisdom, the Christian individual can become a living example to others how God intended for his people to influence nations, communities, families, and individuals. The first century church survived due to prayerful wise Christians who remained focused on the mandates and examples of Jesus Christ. The twenty-first century needs to return to the politics of prayer.

Involvement in politics is part of being a citizen of the United States. It is a privilege to participate in the Democratic process and I encourage every American citizen to become active in local and national elections and affect policy changes. The point I want to stress is we are not on one side or another of politics, but we are on God’s side. Stanley Hauerwas reminds the Christian that there is a temptation, once the Christian becomes involved in politics, for leaders and people in general to convince one another that they alone are on God’s side, while those that disagree with them are completely evil. Christians can confuse political power with faithful witness.

Last year, while watching a program about the Civil War on the History Channel, I was amazed to realize both generals of the North and the South prayed to God for victory. Both of the generals were earnest and persistent in their religious request to be the victor of God for a cause they each believed in their souls. If God answered the prayers of the general of the South would that mean all of the participants of the opposition were evil and deserved to die? If God answered the prayers of the general of the North would that mean all of the participants of the opposition were evil and deserved death? Was one group Christian and the other group sinners? How could two groups with differing views on slavery both pray to God and both claim to be Christian?

Reverend Jim Walls affirms the belief that God is for all of His creation. He is against sin, but he awaits every person’s turn or return to salvation. “God is not partisan: God is not a Republican or a Democrat. When either party tries to politicize God, or co-opt religious communities for their political agendas, they make a terrible mistake. The best contribution of religion is precisely not to be ideologically predictable nor loyally partisan. Both parties, and the nation, must let the prophetic voice of religion be heard. Faith must be free to challenge both right and left from a consistent moral ground.”

There is no doubt we are living in a time governed by fear. There is economic fear and the fear of war coming to the soil of the United States. There is fear about the health care we receive now and as we age. Tea parties have been held across the United States demonstratively screaming the fear we carry in our everyday lives. News commentators add to the fear for profit targeting vulnerable groups and preying upon those fears. The protestors scream for government not to have such a large and intrusive hand in the running of their everyday lives. There is a call to return to the time of our founding fathers and to reclaim the spirit and letter of the constitution. The Lord’s Prayer suggests a different scream, a different call. It suggests we call upon God for our concerns; that we return to Him and his statutes and way of living.