Christians would do well to pay close attention to the changing face of American culture. Change has come and all of us will be affected by it both financially and spiritually, IF we remain idle.

The question, “Should Christians be involved in politics?” continues to be a mental blockade against righteous change. Some Christians wrongly steer clear from politics in fear of being corrupted by it. While Scripture does not answer this pesky question with an emphatic yea or nay, one cannot dismiss the fact that Judeo-Christian values have influenced and shaped modern civilization and its laws.

Civil laws, justice, criminal laws, private property rights, liberty, civil rights and marriage, for example, are all inspired by the Word of God.

Consider the wisdom of Solomon who said, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2). Throughout the eight years of the Bush Administration the people murmured greatly because evidently the righteous did not rule and it's fair to assume the next four years will be more of the same, if not worse.

The prophetic Psalmist dared to decree, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 33:12). But how can this come to pass when Christians segregate from the nation within church walls?

The truth is, if Christians avoid the cultural war in the political arena we will continue to see the decay of our virtues and the corrosion of civilization.

Was Jesus involved in politics?

Some argue, “Jesus wasn't involved in politics.” Really? At first glance you would probably agree, but look a little closer. Israel was under oppressive Roman occupation. They installed a puppet king in Herod who didn't have the interest of the people at heart. How else could Christ make a difference except by going directly to the people? Which He did and it was a marvelous political strategy. Politics simply means, governing the affairs of men. When presidents seek to make an important announcement, they go directly to the people. Jesus did the same and had the highest approval rating, the largest grassroots civil rights movement that changed people's hearts and minds. If there were an election then, it would have been a land slide victory for Him. But He didn't need to be elected, He is already the Sovereign Lord and King over all.

Get an assignment from God.

Others contest, “We just need to pray.” Yes, we need to pray, but not use prayer as an excuse to remain voiceless. Prayer is more than talking to God, it is also hearing from God and being obedient to do what He will ask of you in prayer. When you're in the presence of God in prayer, you'll come away with something, an assignment, a blessing for your generation. Scripturally, you have not prayed until you come out of your prayer closet with an assignment from heaven.

Scripture declares, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah" (Psalms 24:3-6).

Christ said, “But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to the Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly" (Matthew 6:6).

It's time for Christians to come out of their prayer closets with their reward.

The Apostle Paul called it the “First” thing we should do: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4, Emphasis Mine)

Prayer is the “first of all” thing we should do to make sure the Gospel can be preached unhindered in this Nation and abroad. But if there's a first, then there's also a second, a third and so on. What could be the second, third and fourth thing we should do after we’ve prayed? We must pray, but we must also come out of the prayer closet and get involved, go where the sinners are – on Wall Street, Main street and yes, Capitol Hill too.

I submit to the reader that prayer does not mean giving God our to-do list and watch Him do it, while we hide our lights underneath the bushels. When we pray God wants to do more than do the work for us. He answers us with wisdom and sends us forth with Kingdom assignments to represent Him in this world – when the righteous are in authority the city rejoices. Yes, believers need to act, get involved and NOT withdraw themselves from culture or politics.

Christians are citizens too. We are in the marketplace, in education, in politics, business, entertainment and media. Why should the wicked rule? Didn’t Christ say, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)?

So while you’re doing the “first of all” thing, ask Him what is the second, third and fourth thing He needs from you to bring change in America.