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Does God Choose Sides? (1965 hits)

What are these people huddled around Barack Obama praying for? Are they praying that he wins the presidential election in November? Are they praying that no one shoots him along the way? Does God play a role in the outcome of elections, sporting events or that promotion on your job?

I do believe in the power of prayer, but I don't believe that God grants wishes like some magical genie. I believe that our faithfulness and commitment to the Word allows his grace to work through us.

But what do you think? If Obama does win, does it mean that God favors him over McCain?

Posted By: Karen Hunter
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 3:24PM
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Reminds me of how sports teams pray before they play championship games...as if God will intervene and help them win
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 6:17PM
Dante Lee

Exactly. So i guess God loves the Celtics more than the Lakers.
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 6:19PM
Karen Hunter

Seriously, God has a purpose and it's bigger than Obama or McCain and anything those people are praying for. But let there be no mistake, who ever is in power, God's allows it. God answers prayer-yes, no or wait. Being in relationship with him allows you to understand what his answer to your prayer is.
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 7:09PM
g smallwood

Karen, Dante, & G.S.,

Can we have differing faiths and still be one people? If God doesn't choice teams...does he have favorite people/ groups of people/ faith groups?

This is an issue that we as a group (Black in America) have to get over somehow :(
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 8:33PM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

To begin with anyone who has seen my page, probably knows how much I love Barack Obama. So your question "if he wins", when he wins the election as the President Of The United States of America, yes it means God favors him. Usually I've very serious but if it's ok for me to be lighthearted right now. God doesn't bring you this far to drop you on the side of the road. So yes he is favored!

Etana B.
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 9:21PM
Etana Busara

So God didn't favor Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisolhm and Al Sharpton? Did God favor the slave holders for 400 years of black enslavement? Did God favor the Nazis and George w. Bush? Just curious.
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 9:28PM
Karen Hunter

Wow...that was deep! Of course God is even-handed. If not...we are all in a world of hurt. What is we side with the Celtics and God doesn't like it?

GREAT POST!
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 9:34PM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

First of all, I'm not going there, that's why in my comment I stated if I maybe "lighthearted" this evening.I believe you took my comment to serious, that's why the disclosure was inserted.

Monday, August 4th 2008 at 9:45PM
Etana Busara

Not at all...I am real curious what you think and I want us to go deep. That's why we're here, right?
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 10:11PM
Karen Hunter

Good post...now I have a little time to answer. I am will comment generally, and you can take it however you want to take, but its just an opinion based on what I believe is the truth, the Word of God.
First of all, God is a God of order. He always has a purpose and a plan.The question I thought of is "How big is your faith?" My uncle has cancer; my family and I raised enough money to get him to Arkansas so that he could be treated and cared for at good hospital and around his family. When he arrived, and met with the doctors for a week before his "chemo" began, they said he did not have long. My family is a family of prayer and fasting, so we began to petition God on his behalf. He had lost hope, but through the prayers and fasting and dedication to God, he is getting so much better. Literally, his skin is looking better, there is no more "what-ifs" the doctors give him more than just a slight chance to live, they actually now believe, because of his turn around that he will make it through. Cancer is a progressive disease, it doesn't just come and go...with all that being said, I do believe that God favors His people. I do believe that God will intervene for those that petition him.
Another testimony, I made a 21 on my ACT, before I got accepted to the college that I currently attend, I had no idea of where the money was going to come from or how I was going to pay for school. My mentor, Joseph Wiley, told me that I should go into Engineering; I did not know what I wanted to major in...so I said okay. I began to apply for scholarships...all of which I was NOT qualified. Engineering is a very intense field, and my ACT score was too low for any Engineering grant...But because of my obedience, my submission to my parents, and my love and faith for and in God, I received a full ride to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, I don't have to pay for anything...nada...zip...zilch, a a matter of fact they are paying me to learn. Mind you, the scholarship was for individuals who scored at least a 26 on the ACT, I scored a 21...my lowest subject was in Mathematics. I was the only black female freshman to be on the Dean's List and the Chancellor's List my first semester. I had family praying for me, I was praying that God's will would manifest in my life...He did it. I don't what you say, it wasn't chance, it was God.
As far as Obama is concerned, God will have in office whomever He wants. God's plan, no matter what human intervention there may be, will come to pass.
Take a look at this:
Ecclesiastes 3

1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Its right there. There is a purpose or time for everything.
I personally, believe that when are faithful to God, He is more apt to bless quickly. But our faithfulness alone, is nothing. Let me explain; If our faithfulness and commitment to His word, is what allows His grace to work in us...then we would be a lot worse than we are now. His grace is not dependant upon what we do; If that was case then He would have never sent Christ as a sacrifice for our sins, instead God would have let dwell and waddle in our mess. His Grace is UNMERITED FAVOR, that means that we don't have to do anything for grace...the people hated Jesus, everyone was not faithful to Him, but He died anyway...that's grace.
If Obama wins, he wins. As far as I am concerned, God's will be done in the end.
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 10:32PM
Chasity DeLoney

And another, the Bible says that Matthew 17:20 and Luke 17:6...if those people around Obama have a little bit of faith, then all of their little bit is more than the a grain of mustard seed. Also, Matthew 18:19-21...if you consider those Scriptures, then God is in the midst.

Monday, August 4th 2008 at 10:42PM
Chasity DeLoney

I love it! You really did put some thought into the question and you brought it in your answer. Thank you! You are anointed.
Monday, August 4th 2008 at 10:46PM
Karen Hunter

Yeah Chasity! I wanted to also say that it's encouraging to me to see this picture and know that prayers are going forth behind the scenes-that regardless of what words they are saying, if they are truly led by the true and living God, then they are praying for whatever was appropriate for that moment/day. God's will is His perfect will. He honors those that follow His principles and instruction. Thanks!
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 at 12:32AM
Rachelle Milner

By asking does GOD favor you are putting GOD on the same level as us, humans, His creations. GOD does not think in such a way because to Him we are all his children even if we have yet to figure that out. We often limit GOD by our thinking. We think in lateral and two dimensional terms. We put limits on GODs ability. GOD is limitless. GOD is not bound by our rules, regulations or mindset. You can't comprehend slavery and GOD or the holocaust and GOD, but your inability to comprehend it should not be placed on GOD. GOD is beyond all that trivial stuff. GOD is the beginning and the end. GOD is the Alpha and the Omega. GOD knows what's gonna happen before it happens. It's not about GOD finding favorites. It's about all things working according to GOD's plan. We only think we have control. We only think it's about our plan. Everything happens according to GODs will.
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 at 10:55AM
Ebone Evans

I love this site. I don't think I've seen a more thoughtful, sensitive, deep or intelligent gathering of human beings.
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 at 11:03AM
Karen Hunter

I use to do a thing called Muslim, Christian, Jewish dialogue and we were never this nice to each other. I think/ hope God likes this website...this blog:)
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 at 4:14PM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

*I Just got this Daily Devotion when I signed off of here and thought to add*

NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED
FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN.
( HEBREWS 11:1 *NKJV )

Dear William,
Our Heavenly Father gives everyone of us faith for it is
written: GOD HAS DEALT TO EACH ONE A MEASURE
OF FAITH. ( ROMANS 12:3 ) However we must add to
our given faith, and we can because: FAITH COMES BY
HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.
(ROMANS 10:17)

The Apostle Paul wrote: I AM NOT ASHAMED OF
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, FOR IT IS THE POWER OF
GOD TO SALVATION FOR EVERYONE WHO
BELIEVES. FOR IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD
IS REVEALED FROM FAITH TO FAITH; AS IT IS
WRITTEN, 'THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.'"
( ROMANS 1:17 )

Therefore William, it is important that WE WALK BY
FAITH NOT BY SIGHT, ( 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7 ) trusting
with all of our heart, that our Heavenly Father will help us
when we face a problem in our lives! Remember it is
written that: WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO
PLEASE HIM, FOR HE WHO COMES TO GOD MUST
BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER
OF THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. So; HAVE
FAITH IN THE LORD YOUR GOD AND YOU WILL BE
UPHELD; HAVE FAITH IN HIS PROPHETS AND YOU
WILL BE SUCCESSFUL as well. Amen.
( HEBREWS 11:6 ) ( 2 CHRONICLES 20:20 )

Thursday, August 7th 2008 at 5:17AM
WILLIAM W. HEMMANS III

This is very new to me. All these comments , not one insult. I feel good about this blogging thing now.
Thursday, August 7th 2008 at 3:07PM
Guest Visitor

yes, you are so right!
Friday, August 8th 2008 at 2:55PM
Karen Hunter

First, let me say that I too, greatly appreciate the harmonious manner in which you are all dialoging. It is truly a blessing! I have resisted joining similar sites because of the blatant disrespect of others. Now, for the test. I appreciate and honor the previous comments and would like to respectfully disagree with a few statements...

God absolutely takes sides! "For many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14. As a matter of fact, On occasion He is the author of the opposing sides. For example, God chose Israel as His chosen people and then raised Pharaoh as an enemy to enslave His people. In the end, it served God's purpose.
Rom 9:17 "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth."

And God also uses OUR circumstances and enemies(as was previously mentioned) to serve His purpose. God is all about purpose and character development(the character of Christ) to accomplish that purpose. I do believe God can use 400 years of black enslavement for His purpose. He did it with Israel and He can do it with us as well. The question is "Will we submit to the PROCESS and glory in our sufferings as Christ did?" You see, even Jesus "learned he obedience by the things which he suffered" Hebrews 5:8.

Generally, I don't believe God cares about the outcome of sporting events, unless of course He can get glory out of it. He tends to favor the "underdog" so He can show forth His power through an unlikely champion (i.e. the stories of Gideon or David and Goliath). I think God prefers to favor teams that exhibit character qualities in their performance - qualities such as determination, endurance, persistence, sportsmanlike conduct, etc.

I do, however, believe that God is concerned about elections, especially national elections. Historically speaking, God has used individuals and nations to accomplish His will. God often uses "unbelieving" nations to judge His people. When God's people or their leader is righteous, they triumph over their enemies. When God's people or their leader are unrighteous or disobedient, their enemies (other nations) triumph over them. God can raise a U.S. President for the purpose of judging the U.S. or other nations. He can also raise a president that will prosper the U.S. as a nation. We will see which it is...

Here is the thing that I most fear where Obama is concerned: While the message of complete unity and harmony with all peoples and all nations, and "live and let live" philosophies sound wonderful, it is not and will never happen outside of the body of Christ. It is not God's will that this earth be unified without Him or outside of Him (see the tower of Babel - Genesis 11). The Bible prophesies that the Antichrist will attempt to unify the world under one banner. Now, please don't get me wrong, I am NOT calling Obama the Antichrist, I am simple pointing out the error in this kind of thinking. World peace is a beautiful ideal, but the Bible shows that it will not happen apart from Christ(see Revelations and the major prophets). Win or lose, it is God's will and God will use it to accomplish His purpose and will on the earth.
Saturday, August 9th 2008 at 10:30PM
Joseph Wiley

Brother Wiley, I'm going to have to meditate on this one. You put a lot of thought into your comment and made some points that I didn't consider. Thank you. Are you a minister?
Saturday, August 9th 2008 at 10:40PM
Karen Hunter

Good morning to all, I just happen to come back in here to view replies.
For Mr. Joseph Riley, I have coincidentally dwelled on the subject you pointed out here but have not commented publically because with the mass hope for Barack (I'm honestly not comfortable with respectfully), I did not want to offend many. More to the point, I did not want to or have the time to debate (If yourself and Karen feel where I am coming from).
I have seen Barack translate scriptures I do not agree with, I felt he left his former Minister out there (What Min. has not made a comment of controversy?) and as you stated, World Universial Order, will not be man made... It will only add to a system of what will be before Christ appears, then comes back.
I could say so much more here, but I am glad to see another sees what I see in disagreement.
I will go further to say that no matter how much people will try to approve gay union, Only God ordains marriage...
Man can never change that...
Tuesday, August 12th 2008 at 9:28AM
WILLIAM W. HEMMANS III

WOW! This is amazing and on time. The comments here, that have dwelled DEEP on God's word are right! God's plan is already in action just by the lives we live. As far as does he pick sides or have favorites? There is a scripture that says the prayers of the righteous availith much..the righteous are his children..those walking the walk, talking the talk and getting through trials and tribulations.
Nothing will happen on this earth that God hasn't preplanned. I am in agreement with Joseph and William...those of us who know God's word and walk in it, are more aware of what is yet to come (see end time scripture in Thessalonians, Revelation, and Timothy).
I too was uncomfortable with the fact that Obama left his pastor high and dry...we, Christians, Saved and Sanctified (however you want to understand it) cannot react to circumstances the way the world wants us to...I could go on....and on...
Tuesday, August 12th 2008 at 1:48PM
Dana Neal

Whatever Obama has prayed to God for is between him and God. As far as the inital question of what are they praying for......we will not know, because we were not there. What we can do if there are any prayer warriors out there is for God to increase his faith, protection and for Obama to be able to make sound decisions and give him guidance according to God's will
Monday, August 18th 2008 at 1:13PM
Cheryl Hendrix

wow...what a blog!! yes i too am loving the peaceful dialogue!!
i WAS going to comment but most of u hit the points I was going to hit.

I will say this tho...the bible also speaks of all authority being God ordained. So yes he is concerned...hes even concerned about the very hairs on our head.
Monday, September 29th 2008 at 12:24PM
Laqwan 73