Sam and Sue held hands and prayed, “Dear God. We pray for our country. It grieves our hearts that America is a post-Christian nation. We pray for our leaders. Guide them. Help them honor our founding principles. We pray for the poor, the disadvantaged, the orphans, and those whose homes are broken. Please dear God, demonstrate your mercy and grace in our culture and society. Heal our land, we ask. Amen.”

And God answered—right away. “Thank you for praying. I have answered your prayers. I too intend for America to once again be a Christian nation. The poor, disadvantaged, orphans, and widows; the displaced, abused, and disenfranchised are important to me. I have made provision for each one. I love justice. I also intend to demonstrate my mercy and grace throughout life’s circumstances. Each of your prayers, I’ve answered.”

Sue responded, “Sir, with all due respect, if you have answered our prayers, how come our concerns remain?”

Once again, God replied. “Your circumstances are degrading, and the suffering of your fellow humans worsens, while your government is gridlocked because you all are not—and have not been—salt and light in society as I instructed.”

“But we are,” Sam countered. “We go to church—our neighbors see us leave. We put an Easter cross in our lawn and we only drink beer when we are away on vacation.”

Sue added, “And I took two bags of clothes to the women’s shelter resale shop and I’m in that Bible study on love.”

And God said, “But you don’t vote.”

“Vote?” Sam asked. “My vote—our vote—doesn’t matter. That’s why we’re praying. Besides, there’s nobody Christian running for office.”

God replied, “Quit praying!”

“What did you say,” Sam blurted.

“Quit praying. Engage! Your prayer is answered. Go vote and I’ll take it from there.”

“Vote. You want us to vote?” Sam asked rhetorically. This voting angle was a new idea for him.

“Sam, Sue,” God said. “Every issue that concerns you about your country, your countrymen, your government, and your society will resolve within one election if you simply vote.”

“I think He may be right,” Sue said to Sam.

“He’s got a point,” Sam conceded.

“Thanks for your agreement,” God said. “If you go now, you have time to register to vote in the November elections. Now go! Be salt and light.”