October 23, 2025

Virginia pastors and ministers are invited to sign this statement and pray for our Commonwealth during the 2025 election season.
A form to add your signature is at the bottom of this page.
This statement is not affiliated with any particular church or denomination.

Christians are called to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the world (Matthew 28:19).  Every pastor knows that no earthly government can secure anyone’s eternal salvation—only faith in Jesus Christ can (Ephesians 2:8-9).  But that does not mean Christians should retreat from public life.  Our faith calls us not only to preach the Gospel but also to seek justice, show mercy, and work for the good of our neighbors here and now.

William Wilberforce was a devoted Christian who dedicated his life to ending the British slave trade. His advocacy was instrumental in the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807.  Many admire Wilberforce’s courage but hesitate to follow his example—even in the simple act of voting.  With the November 4 statewide election upon us, we need believers like Wilberforce again—Christians who take the duty of citizenship seriously.

Christians should vote because God has ordained the government to administer justice.  Romans 13:4 teaches concerning rulers, “For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”  Virginians have the privilege to choose those who will wield the sword of justice.  But whose vision of justice will prevail?  If Christians abandon the voting booth, they should not be surprised when leaders arise who redefine justice contrary to the Bible, resulting in deep injustice and real suffering.  If Wilberforce had not succeeded, thousands more would have suffered the miseries of the slave trade.  The least we can do is vote.

Christians ought to vote because God calls his people to be good stewards of his gifts.  To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).  We live in a land where the power of government is derived from the consent of the governed.  Why should Christians exclude themselves from that process?  If Caesar had asked the Apostle Paul for counsel on the forced combat of gladiators, do we imagine Paul would have been silent?  Certainly not.  Wilberforce fought for decades to give a voice to the voiceless.  Christians today have a voice in this land—let us steward it at the ballot box.

Christians should go to the polls because we are called to love our neighbors.  We should vote for candidates who will promote human flourishing as defined by God.  God is still interested in the temporal affairs of this world.  He sends the rain on the just and the unjust—common grace (Matthew 5:45).  Because we love our neighbors, Christians should desire leaders who will not invite the judgment of God on our Commonwealth.  Proverbs 14:34 declares, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”  We do not want the reproach of God.  Specifically, Christians should desire leaders who will fight for the flourishing of our unborn neighbors in the womb, not for the Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment which may sound harmless but is an affront to God.  God will not be mocked if our state constitution is amended to expand the legal right to destroy our unborn neighbors created in His image.  Wilberforce fought for the dehumanized in his day.  The least we can do is vote.

The well-meaning phrase “Jesus is not a Republican or Democrat” contains truth, but if it becomes an excuse for disengagement, it misses our biblical duty to promote righteousness and oppose evil.  Obviously, there are no perfect candidates from any political party or independent campaign.  No political party perfectly reflects biblical values.  But Christians who believe in the authority of Scripture should recognize that not all platforms or policies are morally equivalent in this present age.  It would be a relief if our debates were only about reducing the deficit.  But we live in far more nefarious days.  So-called “gender-affirming” surgeries are permanently harming children.  When a modern-day Wilberforce arises to steer government away from profound wickedness, Christians must soberly pray how to courageously support such leaders and causes.  We could do much more—but at minimum, we must vote.

Our salvation is not found in Richmond or Washington, but our government is.  Scripture teaches that government is God’s idea (Romans 13:1).  As citizens of both heaven and earth, Christians have the privilege and responsibility to advocate for God’s principles in public life.  Pray.  Discern.  Then go vote. 

May God have mercy on our nation, and may we be found faithful in our generation.