Welcome to theFormed.life podcast, where today we are discussing essential spiritual practices for navigating political engagement through a faith-driven lens. Emphasizing the crucial roles of fervent prayer, unity, and maintaining a non anxious presence amidst polarization, this conversation offers actionable insights. Learn how informed voting, prioritizing identity in Jesus Christ, and cultivating a virtuous life can ensure your political involvement aligns with your calling as citizens of God's kingdom.

Quotes

"We were created for connection, relational connection. We're redeemed with connection and mind. So I think the presence piece also reminds each one of us of the importance of connection, practicing the presence of God in our daily life, experiencing his empowered presence wherever God has called us, and then also in community."

— Tom Nelson  

 "So I mean even though it's not perfect, even though it's hard, I do think we have a stewardship of voting and I think faithful presence as a Christians, there's more than voting, of course. But we should vote."

— Tom Nelson

"We talked about praying together but you know we were created to be connected to one another. And one of the great concerns I have, the evil one, is that the tendency of polarization and some of the things we're dealing with, it becomes very isolating. It's driven by fear and anxiety. And God designed his church and people to find connection with each other, encouragement, not fear but connection."

— Tom Nelson

3 Main Takeaways

1. The Power of Prayer: Highlights the importance of fervent and regular prayer for spiritual awakening in the church, culture, and nation, promoting a renewed love for Jesus and profound societal impacts.

2. Faithful Presence in Politics: The episode emphasizes Christians maintaining their primary identity in Jesus Christ while engaging in politics. It discusses "faithful presence" and the cultivation of virtues like love, peace, and patience for meaningful and non-polarizing engagement.

3. Community and Informed Conversations: Emphasis is placed on being informed voters, especially at the local level, and fostering sensitive, face-to-face discussions within the community. The goal is to normalize conversations about differing opinions and focus on personal and communal growth during election seasons.

Resources

Scripture

The Lord's Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13 

Virtues from Scripture - Galatians 5:22-23

Divine Virtue - 2 Peter 1:2-4

Books

Faithful Presence: Seven Disciplines That Shape the Church for Mission - David E. Fitch  

Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus - Rich Villodas  

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction - Justin Whitmel Earley  

Timestamps

00:00 Three cultural postures drawn from biblical principles.

05:40 Equipping for Monday life: prayer is vital.

09:29 Boldly pray for wisdom, persistence in prayer.

11:24 Citizens of kingdom get things done through prayer.

16:19 Prayer transforms us into hopeful, realistic people.

18:13 Emphasizing God's daily presence and relational connection.

22:52 Voting is hard but a stewardship.

23:58 Encourage wide reading, understanding, and balanced perspectives.

28:22 Caution urged for online communication and virtue formation.

30:31 Reflect on election season, cultivate virtue, discuss tensions.

34:06 Strive for virtues to grow in knowledge.

37:06 Virtue and fruit of the spirit explained.

39:56 Balancing work and fatherhood with personal liturgy.

44:28 Art gallery visit, friend captivated by painting.

47:14 Prayer for impact and guidance throughout the week.

Hashtags

#FaithfulPresence #SpiritualAwakening #PrayForLeaders #UnityInChrist #VirtuousLiving #EngageWell #HopeInJesus #PoliticalWisdom #ChristCenteredIdentity #CommunityCare

Keywords

fervent prayer, spiritual awakening, God's sovereignty, church unity, praying for wisdom, political context, government leaders, voting challenges, informed decision-making, digital engagement, face-to-face conversations, primary identity in Jesus, spiritual warfare, faithful presence, local elections, listening well, meaningful engagement, Formed Out Life podcast, biblical principles, postures and practices, kingdom citizenship, routine prayer, historical spiritual awakening, differing opinions, cultivating virtue, non-anxious presence, thoughtful engagement, mission of the podcast, political engagement, fruit of the spirit.