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SCRIPTURE · 2 MIN READ1 Timothy 2:1–2 · Jeremiah 29:7

By Daniel Ziedins

Name the day. Do not name a favourite.

On Sunday, October 18, Hamilton’s final advance polls are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and they were open Saturday as well. A church can say that out loud. Name the offices: mayor, ward councillor, and school board trustee. Point people to hamilton.ca for eligibility, wards, and certified candidates. Do not read a preferred name from the pulpit. No candidate is the Kingdom of God.

A sentence you can read aloud

Eligible voters who have not already voted can vote today until 6 p.m., and they could vote yesterday. Bring valid identification. A voter card is not required. You may vote at any poll in your ward. If you already cast a ballot, you do not vote again. The City’s website is the source for locations and certified candidates. We will pray for whoever serves. We will not tell you which name to mark.

Pray before you inform

1 Timothy 2 does not wait for agreement. Pray for voters to love truth, for election workers, for candidates you would not support, and for neighbours who need an accessible entrance or extra time. Pray that the church will not split over a prudential ballot. Then preach Christ. Civic information is neighbour-love. It is not the sermon.

After the benediction

Some people will go straight to a poll. Thank them, including people who will mark a different name than you would. City Hall special voting runs October 16–23 — confirm those hours before you send anyone there. If Sunday is impossible, election day is Monday, October 26. Confirm that day’s hours on hamilton.ca. The voters list can be amended in person with ID through October 24, or at a poll. There are no online or mail-in ballots. Faithfulness does not expire when the weekend does.

Discuss together

  1. How does “Name the day. Do not name a favourite.” apply where God has placed you?
  2. How does “A sentence you can read aloud” apply where God has placed you?
  3. How does “Pray before you inform” apply where God has placed you?
  4. What would it look like to pray 1 Timothy 2:1–2 for a named office this week?
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