by Catie Martin

Created on: February 17, 2008

I am aware that there are some Americans who actually believe faith can be separated from politics. I am not one of them. Looking carefully at the convictions and values of a candidate and listening to their speeches I can make an educated determination exactly who I want to represent me.

I had an opportunity years ago to meet now former President Bill Clinton after he had just been in office for a few months. I waited for hours with others in a crowded airport to shake his hand because I wanted to take the opportunity to meet him face to face. I looked at him and said " we are praying for you". I said this as a Christian because I am persuaded that I have an obligation to intercede for others and that does not exclude my leaders. I did not vote for Bill Clinton and yet I still wanted him to know that there were Christians all over the country who really cared about him and were lifting him up in their prayers.

I don't believe a person can ever be separated from their faith and whatever choice they make to serve others or whatever profession that person chooses a person who is truly committed to God will shine. Their good works and their words will reflect faith and who has the right to ask an individual to do something that is spiritually impossible? Who has the power to stop a Christian from testifying about Jesus or for that matter an atheist for testifying about a belief that God does not exist?

We are a country that was created with each person to have rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and a decision to become a politician does not negate a persons rights. I am thankful that George Bush can talk about the faith he has and the role that his faith has had in his life. I like to know about how he was set free from the dependency he had on alcohol and I am grateful my president is the man who now occupies the white house. I pray for him and for all the candidates, for our country and for our soldiers and our enemies too.

It is my responsibility to intercede for others and to want the best for all people. It is also my responsibility to prayerfully choose who I will cast my ballot for this year. I am assured that we will continue to be one nation united by our faith in God.

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