God has not surrendered His authority over America. We should be careful about surrendering our hope.
A painful election can leave us angry, exhausted and wondering whether our prayers accomplished anything. Those feelings deserve an honest hearing. They must never become the voice that directs our lives.
Dennis Prager delivered a forceful challenge to that temptation during a PragerU interview with CEO Marissa Streit following the midterm elections.
“And you’re not allowed to despair,” Prager said. “As I have said for years now, despair is a sin and you’re not allowed to.”
His words were blunt. His own circumstances gave them weight.
“And look I’m fighting and I can’t even move my body,” he said. “But I’m absolutely in the fight now.”
Prager told Streit he intended to return to nearly as much public speaking as he did before the accident he referenced in the interview. He acknowledged the political setback while refusing to let it dictate the rest of his life.
We need that resolve. Discouragement becomes dangerous when it persuades us to abandon the responsibilities still within our reach.
“It’s a moral and religious obligation to fight,” Prager said.
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For Christians, that responsibility begins with faithfulness to God. We pray. We obey what Scripture teaches, including when obedience feels costly and progress seems painfully slow.
Galatians 6:9 calls us to persevere in doing good without growing weary. An election does not suspend that command. Neither does disappointment.
Prager also addressed what he believed went wrong politically. He defended President Donald Trump’s record while acknowledging that the president’s declining popularity affected the results. Streit criticized the administration’s messaging surrounding immigration enforcement, arguing that fear had alienated Hispanic voters. Prager agreed that ICE played a significant role.
Honest reflection has a place. We can examine failed decisions and demand better leadership while continuing the work God has placed before us.
The conversation became especially pointed when Streit raised the issue of Christians who did not vote.
“Do you think God will set everything aright?” Prager asked. “How can you not at least vote for good over bad?”
Trusting God requires obedience. We cannot ask Him to guide our steps while refusing to take them.
Our families still need steady leadership. Our neighbors still need the gospel. The next opportunity to exercise civic responsibility deserves preparation today.
Prager also reminded listeners that political circumstances can change.
“We’ll see about two years from now,” he said. “It’s a long time. Politically two years.”
Scripture gives us a firmer foundation than any electoral forecast. Jesus remains Lord, and His church still has work to do. The Holy Spirit has not withdrawn His power because an election disappointed us.
Bring the grief to God. Ask Him for wisdom about the next faithful step. Then take it.
Prager closed his encouragement with a declaration that deserves to be heard above the noise:
“It’s not over, my friends.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
