Lord. We have eight days to make the decision on how we should vote for in this upcoming election. There is no leader or party who is currently fully after Your own heart. How do I make a decision between the lesser of a gazillion evils? When I vote, what issue is ‘more important’ than others?

Where is a party that seeks to care for the poor and the oppressed, and seeks to free the mentally ill and give refuge to the homeless?

Where is a party that looks at marriage as outlined in the Bible, and isn’t so arrogant as to think that marriage simply between a male and a female with no regard for You, is “close enough” to marriage as You intended? Where is a party that sees marriage as the precious covenant that You see it as, without compromising their love for others? Where is a party that recognises that words mean nothing unless the relationship they represent embodies the beauty of the word? Why is it that we constantly worry about the word ‘marriage’ will lose its sacredness in this society when it already has in majority of heterosexual marriages?

Where is a party that believes that every child You create is knitted in their mother’s womb, and yet is willing to provide adequate safety and regard for the life of the mother?

Where is a party that recognises we must care for our environment, but in love for Your creation and for Your people?

Where is a party that truly believes in the power of prayer in the Parliament, yet recognises that one who simply recites a prayer without truly trusting in Your ability to guide our government is just speaking powerless words (edit: though I do believe the Lord’s Prayer is filled with such power. Perhaps I should say - one who simply recites a prayer without believing in the power of prayer - are they even really praying, or are they just speaking?)? Do we need to force people to pray, if their hearts aren’t willing? Is that even something that pleases You?

Lord, may we all ask these questions, and may You answer clearly to all who do.

Raise up a leader whose heart breaks for what breaks Yours. Give Australia a King David in 2010. This country needs Your help and Your grace, and may mercy flood this nation. Spirit, move in the hearts of those who are determining their vote, and help their choices to be ones that give You the most glory. In the next eight days, make us diligent in our active choice-making, and give us clear answers.

The most important thing that should govern our vote is love. Love for the Lord with all that we are, and love for the people that He created. Not one or the other, but both. And Lord, there is no party that truly reflects that in policy. So please, my heart is breaking. I don’t know how to vote, but You hold everything in the palm of Your hand, and You have never failed to give me adequate guidance to glorify You. May I not ignore that guidance, and may I trust Your Spirit.