Public Servants' Prayer

2020 Vision – "Jam Fever"

I made a trans-Atlantic phone call to my parents. Dad answered the phone. We chatted for a while, and then I asked how Mum was. “Oh,” he said, “She’s not here, she’s gone with Anne to pick strawberries. They’ve got jam fever.” It was once again strawberry season and therefore jam making would consume Mum and the kitchen for a few days.

Here in America, once again election fever has us in its grip. It’s an amazing process to participate in with all its patriotism, conventions (COVID19 notwithstanding), flag waving, speeches, and waiting to see who will become the next president. Those observing us from across the pond enjoy watching us as a spectator sport. As a naturalized citizen, I thoroughly enjoy being able to participate in the democratic process here with all its unique hoopla.

Sadly, however, along with election fever come other manifestations, that, like the COVID19 virus, are highly contagious. Certain people groups are high risk, and if the fever is contracted, they show a distinct change in character and practice. The kind, humble person, jumps into a phone booth and Election Man emerges wearing the Stars and Stripes. His Bible is packed away for the duration in exchange for a copy of the Constitution, and the cross is obscured, wrapped in a flag. Election Man then goes boldly in search of the man or woman that will save America. Of course, it is expected that he will infect others with his anger, one of the more deadly symptoms of election fever, with his speech becoming more vitriolic and cruel as election day approaches. Election fever affects his eyesight, becoming myopic, seeing specs in other people’s eyes, but blind to the log in his own. The fever also affects his memory, as he forgets Who he believe blesses and keeps this nation despite its many and grievous faults.

Please, fellow citizens, enjoy election season and the democratic process with all its hoopla, and be sure to vote. But please, avoid the phone booth temptation. Remember, we have two audiences to take into account. The watching world as it sees this super-power tear itself apart every four years, and God Himself, to whom we must each give account.

There are precautions we can take to avoid catching election fever. “Be ye kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” And “pray …for kings (governors)…and all that are in authority.” Pray for everyone running for election, whether you like them or not. And “Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good.” Don’t revive Election Man.

Pam Russell PSP Women's Ministry Director

2020 Vision Article #10 - "Jam Fever"