Dear John,

The 2024 presidential election is here, and yet 41 million Christians are "unlikely" to vote this November. With so much at stake this election season, Christians cannot sit this one out. So why are many backing away?

Ultimately, as Len Munsil, president of Arizona Christian University said, "[Christians] are longing for their local church to instruct them on how to think biblically about policy and politics. They don't want to be told how to vote but they do want to know why they should vote and how to view political issues from a biblical framework."

The candidates and their respective parties present us with two starkly different visions for our country. Make no mistake, Christians must vote. It's our biblical imperative. But, if we want to steward our vote well, we need to understand what we're voting for.

Party platforms, released every four years, are essentially a declaration of a political party's values and the policy roadmap it intends to follow. Research indicates that politicians vote in accordance with their party platforms about 80 percent of the time. That's why it's so important that you examine the parties' respective platforms -- so you can make an informed decision when you cast your ballot!

Here's a brief overview of the two parties' platforms:

Life

• Republican platform: Less pro-life than in 2020. Leaves the legality of abortion up to the states, indirectly takes credit for the overturn of Roe v. Wade, opposes late-term abortion.
• Democratic platform: Vocally and unequivocally allows for abortion under any circumstances.

Religious Freedom

• Republican platform: Contains strong language in favor of religious freedom. Vows to uncover anti-Christian bias and endorses the First Amendment Defense Act, which would bar government discrimination against the belief that marriage is "the union of one man and one woman."
• Democratic platform: Says the party will "protect the First Amendment right to free exercise of religion for everyone" and "maintain the separation of church and state." Condemns antisemitism, Islamophobia, and the "decades-long campaign to demonize the Muslim community."

Marriage, Family, and Sexuality

• Republican platform: Drops its previous definition of marriage, affirms the biological basis for sex in its discussion of multiple policy issues.
• Democratic platform: Lengthy and enthusiastic support of LGBTQ acceptance in every sphere of government.

We need to vote in a way that honors God, and that entails voting for candidates who support policies that uphold biblical values. While neither party platform is ideal, there are still significant and important differences, and our party platform analysis will help you understand where each party stands on issues of biblical significance.

When you partner with FRC today, you're not only helping us create resources like these, but you're also helping us reach Bible-believing Christians and churches across the country so that believers view political issues through a biblical framework and have the information they need to steward their vote well.

REACH VOTERS WITH FRC

There are many important decisions in addition to the presidency on the ballot this November. Control of the House and Senate hangs in the balance. Governors, state attorneys general, local school boards, and even comptrollers who have the power to: protect children from radical gender ideology, push back on corporate America's woke agenda, and pass sweeping pro-life and pro-parent laws are all up for election.

We have a responsibility to pursue what is good for our country and to pray for our country. Jeremiah 29:7 says, "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you... and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

It's critical that, in addition to voting in a way that honors God and standing up for biblical truth and values, we also come before God and intercede for our nation in prayer.

That's why FRC has launched our 40-day prayer guide with suggested things to pray for every day leading up to the election. With so many critical issues at stake this November, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and not know what to pray for. We hope this guide will serve as a source of encouragement as this extremely consequential election approaches.

It's important to realize that our hope is not in government, a politician, or any political party. Our hope is in the Creator of all things. Christians will almost certainly never feel completely at home with any political party, because God's kingdom is not of this world, and it doesn't need an election to be established. But that doesn't mean we can stand on the sidelines, either.

FRC is standing firm in prayer and we're equipping others to do the same. When you partner with us today, you're helping us reach many more Bible-believing Christians and coordinate a unified effort to intercede for America. Through our daily radio show, Washington Watch, The Washington Stand news outlet, our podcast, Outstanding, and our new Stand Firm app, FRC is proclaiming biblical truth and raising up a faithful remnant to cry out to God on America's behalf.

INTERCEDE FOR AMERICA WITH FRC

At the Pray Vote Stand Summit, just over a week ago, Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel explained exactly what we can expect to happen if Christians stay on the sidelines:

"We open the door for every evil ideology to fill the vacuum. When we decide we're going to check out, we're not going to be involved, we're not going to be politically engaged, all we do is open the door for more of the same evil agenda and ideology."

As Pastor Hamrick concluded, "... We are one generation away from losing what is valuable and precious and sacred." This November, we have to make a choice that honors God and most closely aligns with His Word with the options we've been given. Otherwise, we risk trading away everything that we hold dear.

No matter what happens this election, FRC will remain firmly planted in the Word of God, and we will not be swayed by the tides of political expediency. Now is not the time to step back but to boldly proclaim biblical truth at the ballot box and beyond.

Thank you for partnering with us in this mission.

Your contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.