NASHVILLE (BP) — Americans went to bed, if they went to bed at all, stunned with the news of last night’s election. The same Americans woke this morning, if they slept at all, stunned with the news of last night’s election. We now await the elite to tell us what happened and why Americans voted as they did. I am not among that group. And few would ask my analysis. But, I’m going to give it anyway!

Americans voted out of principle, but also out of pragmatism. This is the way it has always been. In a republic such as ours rarely, if ever, have believers been able to choose the perfect candidate. It was not so yesterday, and it will not be so in future elections. Millions of Baptists went to the polls and voted out of principles and also out of pragmatism. They wanted to vote for a candidate that might support cherished principles among believers. Ignoring the condescending verbiage from the moral elites, Baptists voted and voted in droves.

You can listen to what the moral elites tell us, but Christians still make a difference! Southern Baptists have not gone by the wayside when it comes to exercising our civic responsibility and our belief that some things still matter.

What happens now? We will pray for our new president. I pray every day for our current president and will do so for our new president as well.

We must remember the words of I Timothy 2:1 which says, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” We will pray for our newly elected leader. We will pray for him to follow the paths of righteousness. We will encourage and speak into his life as best we can.

Twice I have met him and shared with him that which I believe is important to evangelicals and Baptists in particular. I will continue to pray and encourage him:

— to keep his word to provide religious liberty for all religions.

— to protect the life of the unborn as well as the born.

— to encourage him to protect marriage as being between a man and a woman.

— to nominate Supreme Court judges who will protect the constitution and not input activist agendas.

During my daily Bible reading, I read the book of Ezekiel, chapter 20. Verse 19 states, “I am the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgements, and do them.” I post a verse every morning on Twitter and Facebook which I claim is my “favorite verse.” I did so again this morning and shared Ezekiel 20:19. This was true yesterday and today. We will continue to remember who God is. We will continue to follow His way.

Southern Baptists and evangelical Christians will continue to witness to the lost, minister to the hurting, shelter the dispossessed and displaced, be the first to react in times of national and local crisis, and continue to speak up for the way of the Lord!

There are many who like to analyze and ‘funeralize’ those who have stood for righteousness. Whether in the majority or not, conservative, Southern Baptist Christians will continue to remember that the Lord is the Lord and we are to do what He tells us to do.