Read Time: 5 min 04 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

U.S. NEWS

Government Shutdown

The U.S. government has been shut down for nine days… and it’s not expected to get back to business soon. 

A shutdown happens when Congress can’t agree on America’s yearly budget. Without the budget, many parts of the government (like Transportation, Agriculture, Defense, and State) can’t run. Some “essential” workers, like the police and military, still work but don’t get paid right away. Others are told to stay home without pay (a.k.a. “furloughed”).

The longest shutdown started in 2018 when Congress couldn’t agree on money for the border wall. When the government reopened after 35 days, workers received back pay. 

This time, the argument is over healthcare. Democrats want to extend healthcare funding that’s set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats say millions of people could pay more for insurance or lose it completely. Republicans say they’ll only discuss healthcare after passing a short-term bill to fund the government. President Trump said he’d be “happy to work with” Democrats, but the government has to open first.

Republicans have 53 seats in the Senate, and Democrats have 47, but a funding bill requires 60 votes to pass. That means some Democrats must support it.

About 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed during this shutdown. The White House said “thousands” may lose their jobs for good. And, to add to the pressure, a leaked memo from the White House said furloughed workers aren’t guaranteed payment for their forced time off.

*Want to learn a little more about the ins and outs of government shutdowns? Check out the shallow dive we took recently. 

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
If our hope is based on political negotiations or economic security, then we live in fear because we could lose everything. But if our hope is rooted in the eternal security provided by Christ, then we can weather any storm—even a government shutdown.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness… On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
Edward Mote, 1863 (Scriptural basis: Psalm 18:2; Matthew 7:24; Hebrews 13:8)

How can I model putting my hope and trust in Christ when discussing this story?
God is governing the world without a hiccup.

He made the laws of nature, and they never grind to a halt. He sustains and manages the world with a steady hand (Job 38:1-41; Colossians 1:15-17).

Human administration, on the other hand, is chaotic and uncompromising and uncertain. America has a generally effective government set up on solid principles by some pretty savvy founders… but it’s still a human invention with plenty of faults. Don’t put more trust in the system than it deserves.

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
The Lord commands us to pray for our leaders:

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:1-6, CSB)

Notice: the goal of our prayers for our leaders is our own godliness and dignity, and the salvation of our neighbors. 

In the midst of a government shutdown, we’re tempted to focus all our attention on the prosperity of our country and our neighbors and our households. It’s not a bad thing to ask God to provide. But what God longs for is not a rich and comfy America. He’s longing for a new world, full of the redeemed. Let’s focus our prayers for leaders on bringing God’s kingdom.

• Sing “The Solid Rock” or the modern adaptation, “Cornerstone,” aloud together.

• Memorize Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.” (CSB)

• Pray as a family for political leaders to come to a compromise: God, our Governor and Lawgiver, these lawmakers are only in their seats because You put them there. Would You straighten their steering so we don’t drive into trouble? Would You make them wise, humble, and clever? While we wait, help us to trust You and live godly, dignified lives that show our neighbors how good You are. Amen.
  
  Want more prayers to help you respond to the headlines on your knees? Decaf’s writer, Steph, provides brief biblical reflections and an extended prayer every Sunday in The Pour Over’s new newsletter, Praying the News. Subscribe (for free, as always) here.

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