This election season, Cissie Graham Lynch is encouraging Christians to consider key issues affecting our families before they cast their vote. One of those critical topics is the security of our nation’s borders.
“As a mother, national security is one of my greatest concerns going into this election,” Cissie said. “How do we look at immigration from a Biblical perspective while protecting our children and our families … yet also protecting and loving the immigrant?”
In her latest Fearless podcast episode, Cissie encourages us to love our neighbors—and prayerfully vote for candidates who will help bring peace to our country.
“I’m in favor of immigration, but I do believe it must be legal,” she said. “From its founding, America has welcomed migrants.”
Cissie’s devotional below, taken from her Fearless Family: Eight-Day Election Prayer Guide, challenges us to strike a balance between Christlike compassion and the responsibility to protect our families and nation.
Reading: Romans 13:1–7
A State of Emergency
My father, Franklin Graham, has said that the job of the church is to love people but the job of the government is to provide careful security for its citizens—and I agree with that. Our first responsibility as Christians is to love and care for people, regardless of their immigration status. Scripture tells us: “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them” (Leviticus 19:33, NIV). …
At the same time, as Christians, we have a responsibility to care about the state of our country and the safety of our own citizens. As a mother, national security is one of my greatest concerns. I am disturbed by the lack of vetting for those crossing our border. According to the House Judiciary Committee, over 5 million undocumented migrants have crossed into our country over the past four years. And during the 2023 fiscal year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a report stating that Border Patrol agents encountered 169 people on the terrorist watch list. …
There are real safety threats facing U.S. citizens and migrants alike. Police officers have been violently attacked, young women have been raped and murdered, and people have been killed in DUI crashes involving migrants. In addition, financial resources and human services are being stretched critically thin in border communities and large cities as more and more people face the dangers on both sides of the border.
This is one of the biggest issues this election year, and it should be. …
America the Beautiful
I don’t blame anyone for wanting to move to the United States. It’s the land of economic opportunity—a country established by immigrants. For centuries, people from all over the world have come to this great nation because it offers better conditions for raising a family, access to quality health care, freedom of speech, religious rights, better treatment of the poor, and a democratic system.
I am in favor of immigration, but I believe it must be legal. From its founding, America has welcomed migrants. …
A Biblical Response
So how do we look at immigration from a Biblical perspective while protecting our children, other Americans, and those attempting to come into this country, both legally and illegally? I encourage you to look to God for wisdom. Let’s ask Him to show us how to love the foreigner while also keeping our nation secure.
As the body of Christ, our priority is living out the Gospel. This is why we must fearlessly share God’s Word and faithfully meet the physical and spiritual needs around us. It’s critical Kingdom work for our churches and our families, and if we want to do this in a place of stability, security, and safety, then we need to prayerfully vote for candidates this election who, in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 14:33, will help bring peace and not disorder.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege we have of living in such an incredible nation that still offers us so much freedom and opportunity. Please forgive us when we take those liberties for granted.
We know that as believers, we are called to show Your love to our neighbors. May we never forget that all people are precious in Your sight, regardless of nationality or immigration status. Help us to live out 1 John 3:18: “Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions” (NLT).
Burden our hearts for those making the extremely difficult decision to leave their home country. We ask that their experience be legal and fair as they seek to gain entry into our beautiful country. Please help us show compassion as they attempt to rebuild their families’ lives here in the U.S.
We know though, that while You are a God of love, You also require order and recognize the importance of boundaries. Please grant the leaders in our churches and government the wisdom to offer both compassion and parameters that foster an environment of safety.
