For me, this election has served as a political awakening to what goes on behind the closed doors of our Parliament.

I’ve been tracking this election very closely from the start, whether it be all the memes that have been made, to reading the different party manifestos, like THE ACTUAL East Coast Plan.

As of the time of writing this (just before Polling Day), I don’t know the results. We might have had yet another landslide victory for the incumbent party, or the opposition could have picked up a number of key seats.

But what I do know is this: Under these extraordinary circumstances – with a global crisis in full swing, with five years under a new government and with the highly speculated change of Prime Minister still in the pipeline – I’m reminded all the more why we need to pray for our nation.

OUR LEADERS ARE APPOINTED BY GOD

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)

Regardless of what you thought of the past governments or what you think of this new government, they were called to their post for such a time as this.

Just remember Queen Esther, a Jewish orphan in a foreign land who rose to favour in the king’s eyes and became instrumental in saving her people from genocide.

Recognising God’s divine sovereignty in the matter, her cousin Mordecai besieged her to make a petition before the king for the Jews.

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

However this election goes, we need to acknowledge that every authority is ordained by God. 

LEADERSHIP IS HARD

As much as these leaders were called to their posts by God, they have an immense task before them.

This pandemic has presented such extreme challenges to leaders across the board, including business owners and church pastors. Needless to say, these challenges are multiplied for our government leaders as they watch over the entire economy in this crisis.

Though the election has passed, this new government will have a gargantuan task ahead.

Perhaps my thoughts are best expressed by our Prime Minister’s speech when this election season started: “The government that you elect will have critical decisions to make.

“These decisions will impact your lives and livelihoods, and shape Singapore for many years to come, far beyond the five-year term of the next government.” 

Though the election has passed, this new government will have a gargantuan task ahead. COVID-19 still ravages the world, the economy is still in the worst recession since the Great Depression, and the global landscape has changed dramatically from where it was just five months ago.

Being a leader in this time is tough. 

YOUR VOICE STILL COUNTS

So what should we do? One simple answer: Pray.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV), Paul encourages us: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Now that you have participated in this political process, now that the government the people have elected are in power, I want to challenge you not to call your responsibilities as a citizen done and dusted.

I want to invite you to intercede for your government.

Not just because there’s a pandemic or a recession, but because, no matter how young or old of a Christian you are, you are called to pray for our leaders!

One practical way we can do that is to take one or two articles that we read on our local news platforms to pray over that problem.

Pray for God’s wisdom to be upon our leaders as they execute their duties. Pray that they will be able to lead our country through these unprecedented times successfully.

Pray a blessing over our leaders, so that we will see how God can move powerfully in our nation!