What Do We Do Now to Protect Our Democracy?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Recent events in our nation’s capital produced images that seemed to strike at the very heart of our democracy.

I watched, along with the rest of America, as the U.S. Capitol building was stormed. Guns were drawn on the floor of the House of Representatives. A man was sitting with his boot on the desk of the Speaker of the House, and protesters were in the well of the Senate. The Speaker’s lectern was being carried off while a woman lay in the hallway, covered in blood.

As a patriot, those images were deeply troubling. As someone whose life, work, ministry and friendships happen, not only with the Capitol in view, but within its storied halls, those images were personally upsetting.

In the days following, many questions were asked concerning how and why this could have happened. But it is the question I heard from many believers that captured my attention the most. What do we do now?

There were people on both sides of the political divide praying for their candidate to be president. However, a significant majority, especially evangelicals, clearly supported Donald Trump. Many recognized prophetic voices were declaring a Trump presidency was assured: “It’s the will of God.” Believers were engaged in prayer and fasting. They held prayer meetings, attended rallies and special events.

The seeming loss of the election to Joe Biden only resulted in calls to intercede more. Many prophetic voices doubled down on their predictions and believers were called to action. In fact, believers from across the nation came to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 to witness a miracle.

Instead, they witnessed a tragedy. And in the ensuing aftermath of that tragedy, the question emerged: What do we do now … that “God’s candidate” lost?

As a citizen of the kingdom of God, I understand that it is not the American voter who chooses the president, and the temporary occupant of the Oval Office does not change who sits on the throne. The Most High rules over the kingdom of men (Dan. 4:17), and His church needs to demonstrate the leadership this world needs to see more now than ever.

Tune into this episode of the Envoy, From Behind the Veil podcast to hear more on this extraordinary question for our nation. {eoa}

Tim Powers has more than 30 years of experience in national politics, government relations and the public affairs arena. Beginning in the campaign field in the mid-1980s, Powers worked in numerous state and national political campaigns, including serving in the political operations of the presidential campaigns of both (then Vice President) George H.W. Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole. Tim also served in roles on the George W. Bush for President campaign teams in Iowa and Pennsylvania and, after the election, was appointed to the Bush/Cheney transition team at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 2002, Powers launched his own firm, Artemis Strategies.